Lesotho: Women and road safety

The article challenges common perceptions that women are poor drivers by highlighting evidence and expert opinions that suggest women are generally more cautious and responsible road users. It presents road safety as a shared responsibility and emphasizes the positive role women play in promoting safer driving behavior. 

Officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service note that women tend to observe traffic laws, avoid excessive risk-taking and actively participate in road safety awareness campaigns. At the same time, the article acknowledges areas where improvement is needed, such as avoiding mobile phone use while driving and increasing knowledge of vehicle maintenance. 

The story situates women’s involvement in road safety within broader development and gender equality goals, including the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety. It stresses that empowering women through education, leadership and policy inclusion can contribute to reducing road accidents and saving lives, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts like Lesotho. 

LINK TO PUBLISHED STORY

Written by Makhaba Masekonyela. This article, first published by Lesotho News Agency, is part of the Media Parity Capacity Building Programme and republished as part of the programme series.