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 Ministries, which will serve to address gender concerns in a wide spectrum of developmental issues.  National Decentralisation Policy 2014: whose conception and implementation is guided by a number of principles including gender equality and equity.  National Vision 2020: With particular reference to gender equality, the Policy provides that by the year 2020, there will be no gender disparity and that men and women will be equal before the law and will be accorded equal opportunities in all aspects of life.  National Strategic Development Plan 2012/13-2016/2017: one of the crosscutting issues in the plan is promotion of gender equality. Amongst the challenges identified by the plan are poverty, unemployment and inequality. The plan is therefore aimed at reducing women's social subordination and empower them to contribute more fully to development and poverty reduction.  Water and Sanitation Policy 2007 aims to promote equality in provision, use, management and access to potable water supply and sanitation services. The policy takes into account vulnerable and marginalised groups of women and girls. It is therefore aimed at ensuring integration of gender equity into water resources programmes and activities and to ensure that all genders participate in the formulation and implementation of all development. Challenges 321. The main challenge in Lesotho is lack of awareness on human rights particularly women’s rights. This undermines the ability of women to seek redress when their rights are violated. The implementation of the laws and policies on women’s rights is taking place at a slow pace. Also, the cultural and societal resistance to gender equality is a serious obstacle to efforts that are being made in eliminating discrimination against women. 116