In Lesotho religious leaders and youth join forces to break cycles of violence through dialogue

In the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, religious leaders, taxi drivers, teachers, and traditional healers are gathering in community halls and church spaces, not to perpetuate harmful practices, but to challenge them. The “Ke Kabelo Ya Ka” initiative, meaning "it is my responsibility" in Sesotho, represents a shift in how a group of Basotho is taking initiative to address gender-based violence. The programme creates a space for honest dialogue about masculinity, relationships, HIV/AIDS, and the harmful social norms that fuel violence. The initiative emerged from a partnership between the Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL) and GEM Institute, supported by UN Women through funds from the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF). 

"As men, it's our responsibility to protect our society and say it mustn't happen in our name. We decided we want to build a society in which everyone thrives, regardless of their gender," explains Rev. Dennis Katiso Sehotsanyana, CCL Maseru District Regional Chairperson.  General Secretary of CCL, Masechaba Tholera, notes the programme's impact extends beyond workshops. "In one district, a religious leader told us he divorced his first wife due to a lack of understanding. He thought he was everything in the family, that the woman's voice didn't matter. After becoming part of these dialogues, he sat down with his two sons to teach them respect for women," she said.

The approach challenges participants to examine deeply held beliefs and cultural teachings that position men as superior, which are being reframed. Religious interpretations that have been used to justify women's subordination and inferiority are being reconsidered. "Culturally and biblically, we are told that men are the head of the family. But what does it mean to be the head of the family? We believe both culturally and religiously that women must submit. But what does that submission mean? We need to bridge that gap," says Tholera.

Young people leading impactful conversations

Young facilitators from GEM Institute lead many of these conversations. Nthakoana Kapoko and Kanono Ntaopane, both in their twenties, describe the initial resistance they faced. In early sessions, women were asked to leave so men could speak freely. Over time, however, walls came down. "They started asking us, as young women, what we thought, wanting us to be part of the conversation. It became a dialogue rather than a lecture," recalls Kapoko. 

The programme reveals uncomfortable truths about violence in Lesotho. Men share stories of abuse they've experienced and the traumas that have shaped their perspective of what the world should look like. Ntaopane shares a story of two dialogue participants. A man living with a disability describes the shame that keeps him isolated and affects his interaction with women. Another speaks of enduring physical abuse from his wife, fearing ridicule if he reports it to the police. "Some of the participants highlighted that we need to have conversations with women together. When it's a facilitated dialogue, people don’t attack each other, so we can sit down hear both men's and women’s experiences and find solutions that accommodate everyone. From our conversations with men, they told us that, unlike women, they don't have the space or courage to speak up about their experience. We need women's involvement so both can talk and understand each other. Dialogue allows for that."

These revelations reshape the understanding of violence as a community problem requiring community solutions. In one of the districts, participants organized their follow-up workshops without external support. A young man who underwent traditional initiation organized groups of initiated men to continue anti-violence conversations in their communities. The dialogue approach extends beyond formal sessions. Inspired by successful tavern-based discussions in South Africa, CCL is exploring similar safe spaces within religious contexts where men can continue these conversations.

The initiative addresses root causes of violence, including economic desperation. With unemployment driving early marriage and increasing vulnerability to abuse, participants recognize that sustainable change requires addressing poverty alongside cultural transformation. For young people like Ntaopane and Kapoko, this work represents hope for Lesotho's future. They envision a country where both men and women feel comfortable expressing vulnerability, where safe spaces exist for dialogue, and where respect replaces dominance. The Ke Kabelo Ya Ka movement demonstrates that change is possible when communities take ownership of solutions. By creating space for honest dialogue and challenging harmful norms, Lesotho's men are becoming part of the solution to gender-based violence, proving that conversations are crucial for transformation.