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
There has also been a Disability Equity Draft Bill 2014. Although still a draft, when
enacted into law, the Bill is aimed to address all issues relating to disability in
Lesotho including establishment of a Disability Council.
Administrative measures
214. In order to protect the rights of children as well as spouses within the family, in 2013 the
government of the Kingdom of Lesotho established the Department of National Identity
and Civil Registry with mandate to deal with the registration of births, deaths and national
identity documents.
215. To ensure sustainable and adequate housing for all families, there has been established
a Government Cooperation (Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation) whose
mandate is to provide housing sites, home ownership and rental accommodation to low
income earners at affordable costs.
216. There is also a Lesotho Rural Electrification Project aimed at installation and electrification
of rural communities at a lower cost.
217. Government also exempts low income earners from tax in order to ensure that their
families are not deprived of means of livelihood.
218. For poorer families which cannot afford the above services although provided at low cost,
the Ministry of Social Development provides support through a program known as National
Information System for Social Assistance (NISSA). This programme operates by
collecting and registering in the system, information aimed at ascertaining most indigent
families which are then provided social assistance in the form of cash grants and payment
of school fees for children in such families.
219. The Ministry of Social Development also has a child grant programme aimed specifically
for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). In terms of the National Policy for
Orphaned and Vulnerable Children it aims to ensure that legal, policy and institutional
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