Skillshare Lesotho (SKL) is a registered local non-profit organization committed to sustainable development and volunteer-driven initiatives. Working in partnership with communities and local organizations, SKL addresses systemic challenges such as poverty, injustice, and inequality while promoting inclusive economic and social advancement. With support from the Embassy of Finland in Pretoria, SKL is implementing a one-year project in Leribe District, Northern Lesotho, aimed at expanding access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services from STI prevention to post-natal care as a fundamental human right.
The project prioritizes migrant populations, particularly Basotho moving between Lesotho and South Africa in search of livelihood opportunities, who often face barriers such as mobility, legal vulnerabilities, and limited access to SRHR and HIV services. High migration zones like Maputsoe and surrounding border communities also experience similar challenges, affecting adolescents, youth, and sex workers. To address these gaps, the project employs a rights-based approach, working to improve health outcomes, reduce gender-based violence, and promote informed contraceptive choices. Persistent structural barriers, including stigma, restrictive clinic hours, and healthcare worker shortages, further hinder access, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups.
Through community engagement, advocacy, and safe spaces, the initiative empowers migrants, sex workers, and young people to make informed health decisions while strengthening partnerships with health providers, policymakers, and law enforcement. By leveraging SKL’s experience in working with vulnerable populations, the project ensures that SRHR and HIV services reach those most at risk. Ultimately, the initiative fosters an inclusive, discrimination-free environment where all individuals can access equitable, rights-based healthcare.