Climate change worsening maternal deaths: MPs

Climate change is worsening access to maternal health care and increasing risks of gender-based violence (GBV) for women and girls in Mafeteng, a report by the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus has found.

The Caucus says women in Reisi village are forced to endure unfriendly weather, cross three flooded rivers and travel 8.8 kilometres to access maternal services, putting their lives and those of unborn babies at risk due to lack of roads and remote clinics.

According to the report produced following a dialogue held in Reisi and Matholeng villages from 26-28 May 2025, lack of road infrastructure and health facilities directly exposes women to danger during extreme weather events.

The report was adopted by the National Assembly this week.

In Reisi, the community reported that some primary pupils were swept away by a river while trying to cross to school. Girls walk long distances under inclement weather to access education.

In one incident cited, a woman gave birth in a tractor trailer being used as an ambulance and lost the baby due to the bumpy road. Another woman lost her baby while giving birth at home.

The Area Chief raised concern that women and girls are not safe as they walk long distances to access basic services, leading to increased risks of physical abuse and attacks.

Droughts have also created dongas that children must cross to school, posing further danger.

In Matholeng, women aged 18-50 told MPs they fear for their lives due to brutal killings of women. One elderly woman was recently brutally killed, “a khaoloa qoqotho,” community members said.

Other cases reported include three primary pupils allegedly hit by a vehicle driven by a police officer, a committee member brutally murdered because he was a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, with suspects called for questioning and later seen walking freely, and a woman whose daughter was murdered by her partner and the suspect released on bail.

The Caucus observed that while Lesotho has made progress on gender rights and has a National Climate Change Policy (2017) and National Resilience Strategic Framework (2019-2030), the explicit link between Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and climate change remains largely implicit.

It found that women, girls and LGBTIQ+ individuals are disproportionately affected by discrimination and violence, and that there is a need for capacity building for law enforcement to effectively respond to GBV cases.

The Caucus recommends that Parliament advocate for policies that prioritise expectant mothers and children in climate adaptation, contribute to the draft Climate Change Bill to include SRHR, construct all-weather roads and high schools in Reisi, and equip health facilities to reduce climate-related deaths.