Makoabating Community Council COE

Makoabating Community is a rural area in the Mafeteng District, situated in the Thabana Morena constituency about 30 km from Mafeteng town.   The community struggles with socio-economic challenges typical of remote rural Lesotho: limited infrastructure, water-sanitation gaps, and reliance on subsistence agriculture. At the same time, initiatives such as World Vision’s WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) program have made a positive impact on public health, improving access to clean water and hygiene practices.  

The Makoabating Community Council is deeply engaged in the Gender Links Centres of Excellence (COE) programme. In 2014, councillors (12 women and 13 men) participated in a two-day workshop on gender concepts, conflict resolution, and leadership, laying the foundation for deeper gender mainstreaming.   Over subsequent stages, the council developed a detailed gender action plan that addresses local economic development, climate change, care work, and issues like gender-based violence. Through this COE journey, Makoabating has committed to transforming local governance — promoting inclusive policies, encouraging shared leadership, and embedding gender-responsive planning into its development work.