World Vision Lesotho Trains Journalists to Strengthen Fight Against Child Labor

World Vision Lesotho (WVL) recently hosted a two-day training workshop aimed at equipping journalists with the tools and knowledge to advocate more effectively for the elimination of child labor in Lesotho. Held as part of the organisation’s ongoing campaign to tackle child and forced labor, the workshop forms a critical part of WVL’s broader strategy to raise awareness and drive systemic change across the country.

Speaking during the training, Mrs. Mathabang Kose, a representative from World Vision Lesotho, highlighted the significance of media involvement in social advocacy. She emphasized that informed, empowered journalism can play a transformative role in shaping public discourse and holding institutions accountable.

“This training is meant to empower the media to amplify the voices of children and communities affected by labor exploitation,” Kose said. “Journalists are essential partners in our mission to protect vulnerable children.”

As part of its anti-child labor efforts, WVL has launched a pilot program across five districts in Lesotho. The initiative aims to identify and refer at least 300 victims of child labor to government-run social protection programs and complementary services provided by civil society organisations. The goal is not only to rescue and rehabilitate affected children but also to address the root causes of child labor through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.

However, despite these efforts, the challenge persists. Since the launch of the initiative, 16 cases of suspected child labor have been reported, with five of those cases confirmed after investigation. These figures reflect both the magnitude of the problem and the difficulty in uncovering and responding to cases that often occur in hidden or informal sectors.

Child labor in Lesotho is driven by a combination of poverty, limited access to education, and cultural factors that normalize child work. Children are frequently engaged in herding, domestic work, and agricultural labor, often at the expense of their safety, well-being, and future opportunities.

WVL believes that stronger partnerships with the media will help shine a light on these injustices and encourage communities, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action. The training also introduced journalists to legal frameworks, ethical reporting standards, and tools for investigating and reporting on child labor without causing harm to victims.

World Vision Lesotho continues to work closely with government departments, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders to ensure that children can grow up in safe environments, free from exploitation.

As Lesotho joins the global community in striving to meet international targets on child protection and labor rights, initiatives like these remain crucial in accelerating the country’s progress toward a child-labor-free future.