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 Challenges 382. Customary law does not embrace equality between men and women and therefore does not guarantee women right of equality before the law. ARTICLE 9: THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN POLITICAL AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS 383. Women are visible participants in Lesotho’s politics. However, out of the thirty registered political parties, only one of them, Reformed Congress of Lesotho (RCL) is led by a woman, Mrs. Keketso Rantso. Only a few women feature in the political parties’ National Executive Committees (NECs). Women constitute the colour, permanent feature and driving force behind political campaigning in Lesotho. They drive the singing, dancing and lately decorating to ensure that their parties present the best force and image. As a result of their inferior position at party level, women are underrepresented in parliament. 384. With regard to other decision-making processes, Lesotho has had a number of women in key positions such as the Governor of the Central Bank, the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the National Assembly who served in the 7th, 8th and 9th Parliament of Lesotho and was changed in 2017 when the 10th Parliament resumed. Constitutional measures 385. The right to participate in politics and decision making is guaranteed in the Constitution. Section 20 provides that every citizen has the right to participate in government. This includes the right to participate in the conduct of public affairs, 70 vote and stand for elections.71 70 71 Constitution of Lesotho section 20(1) (a). Constitution of Lesotho section 20(1) (b). 136