AACC Equips Young Church Leaders in Lesotho to Promote Gender Equality and SRHR

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), in partnership with the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA) conducted a three-day Youth Training on Faith, Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Lesotho from 31st July to 2nd August 2026.

The training brought together young church leaders to strengthen their capacity to address pressing social issues through a faith-based approach. The programme combined expert presentations with contextual Bible studies to equip participants with knowledge and tools needed to strengthen youth agency in holistic Christian mission in their communities and beyond.

During the first day, participants examined Lesotho’s Gender and SRHR landscape, discussing Gender Based Violence, maternal health, HIV prevention, adolescent and youth wellbeing and barriers to accessing health services. They also explored the church’s role in safeguarding human dignity and gender equality, enabling access to accurate information and in promoting holistic wellbeing.

The second and third days focused on Contextual Bible Studies, addressing issues such as GBV, abuse of power, menstrual health and healthy relationships. Using the AACC's Young Peoples Resource Pack on Faith, Love and Life: A Contextual Bible Study Manual on SRHR, these sessions demonstrated how faith can inspire compassion, justice and social transformation.

From the training emerged a shared commitment to launch a nationwide campaign promoting menstrual hygiene and challenging menstruation-related stigma through education and community engagement. While launching the one-year action plan the participants developed to begin off this initiative, each of them made a financial contribution towards the budget needed to implement the beginning activities.

"The training was significant for Lesotho. It helped us appreciate that promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights requires both spiritual grounding and practical action." Noted Mr. Morapelo Lebohang Ramoleko, a youth member of the AACC General Executive Committees from LECSA during the closing ceremony.

In the photo: Participants engaging in a team building activity on 31st July 2026. [Courtesy: T. S. Mabeya]