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Illness Among Underfives
Mothers continue to follow traditional cultural practices rather than allopathic medicine,
despite it becoming gradually more widely available. Full immunisation rates in 2011
were at only 53% in under-fives. Much of the population has poor access to basic
services such as health services and clean drinking water in some communities. The
inadequacy of services offered is another inhibitor to child survival and development.
These factors mean that Lesotho is lagging in the achievement of its MDG’s.
7.2
Children with Disabilities (Article 13)
Legislative
The Constitution at Article 18 protects freedom of discrimination. Article 33 places a
further positive onus on GoL to provide rehabilitation, training and social re-settlement of
persons with disabilities into communities.
The CPW Act defines a child with a disability to include children with physical,
intellectual or sensory disability irrespective of its cause. Section 13 protects the rights
of a child with a disability – specifically their right to dignity, special care, medical
treatment, rehabilitation, family, personal integrity, sport and recreation, education and
training. These rights are afforded special protection so that persons with disabilities
can “achieve the greatest degree of self reliance and social integration”.
The Sexual Offences Act (2003) in Section 15 gives special provision for sexual acts
committed against a person with a disability and provides harsher penalties. The
Education Act (2010) requires that children with disabilities be included in mainstream
schooling where ever possible.
Administrative
The Social Welfare Policy of 2003 has some generic guiding principles in providing
services to people with disabilities. The National Disability Mainstreaming Plan is