THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA 425. The main challenges which face girls in school are sexual harassment and teenage pregnancy. As indicated in part A of this report, the government of Lesotho has adopted both disciplinary measures and criminal prosecution against teachers who sexually harass pupils. It has also adopted a policy in terms of which girls who fall pregnant while in school are allowed to continue with their studies until the time when they give birth and are allowed back to school afterwards. 426. Early and forced child marriages remain challenges to completion of high school and tertiary education in Lesotho. 427. The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS has left many child-headed households and because of cultural stereotypes, the greater burden is on girl children who are forced to drop out of school in order to take care of sick parents or younger orphaned siblings. 428. Poverty also leads to high dropout rates amongst girls who sometimes miss classes when on menstrual periods due to lack of sanitary towels. The government and other NGOs have begun programmes in terms of which sanitary towels are made available and free of charge in schools although not all schools are covered yet. ARTICLE 13: ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Constitutional and legislative measures 429. As indicated in Part A of this report, the Constitution of Lesotho contains the economic, social and cultural rights in its chapter 3, not as rights but as DPSPs, which are subject to progressive realisation taking into account the country’s available resources. In terms of section 25 of the Constitution, the DPSPs are not justiciable in the Courts of Law. 430. The parliament of Lesotho has enacted a number of laws aimed at ensuring that women are economically empowered. These laws include the Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act 2006, the Land Act 2010 and Companies Act 2011. As illustrated above, 148