Lesotho: Lesotho International Human Rights Lab - Driving Institutional Change for Inclusive Justice

The International Human Rights Laboratory (IHRL) in Lesotho has transformed its institutional systems to better support LGBTIQ+ communities. Through capacity building, financial reform and strengthened governance, the organisation now operates with improved accountability, enabling sustainable, rights‑based programming.

Before its organisational transformation, the International Human Rights Laboratory (IHRL) operated with minimal financial infrastructure, relying on sponsorship-based activities and lacking structured systems for budgeting, procurement and financial accountability. Implementing donor-funded work such as the THUSO Project highlighted significant institutional gaps and the urgent need for reform.

To address these challenges, IHRL undertook a series of structured capacity-building and governance-strengthening activities. Staff participated in Gender Links’ Linking and Learning sessions and GL Academy courses, improving their understanding of inclusive governance, gender-responsive programming and results-based management. Organisational capacity assessments, technical support and internal reflection sessions helped define weaknesses in systems, structures and internal processes.

The organisation opened its first formal bank account, activated finance and procurement policies and introduced internal approval, budgeting and reporting systems. Documentation processes were standardised, monthly reconciliations introduced and donor compliance mechanisms adopted. These changes improved efficiency, accountability and clarity across departments.

The impact has been transformative. IHRL is now able to manage funds directly, produce timely reports and collaborate more effectively across programme, finance and leadership teams. Its strengthened structures have increased credibility with donors and improved long-term sustainability. Most importantly, the reforms enhance the organisation’s ability to deliver inclusive, rights-based services to LGBTIQ+ communities facing discrimination and systemic barriers.

IHRL plans to sustain these gains through continued institutionalisation of systems, regular leadership oversight and ongoing staff training. The organisation’s journey demonstrates that practical, functional governance systems form the foundation of sustainable, rights-focused civil society work.