World Vision Lesotho Hands Over Child-Friendly Child and Gender Protection Unit Office to Strengthen Child Protection Services

For Immediate Release

Morija, Lesotho | 24 July 2026 – World Vision Lesotho, through its Rothe Area Development Programme (ADP), will officially hand over a newly constructed Child-Friendly Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) Office to the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in Morija on Friday, 24 July 2026.

The facility has been established to strengthen child protection services by providing a safe, welcoming, and child-friendly environment where children can access protection services with dignity, care, and confidentiality.

The handover marks another milestone in World Vision Lesotho's commitment to ensuring that every child grows up protected from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The facility will improve the quality of services provided to children while strengthening collaboration between communities, law enforcement agencies, and other child protection stakeholders.

The construction of the Child-Friendly CGPU Office was informed by gaps identified through the Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) process, child protection standards monitoring, and community action planning. Through these participatory processes, community members, local leaders, and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service collectively identified the need for a dedicated child-friendly space to better respond to the needs of vulnerable children.

The facility is expected to:

• Improve the quality of child protection services.
• Strengthen child protection case management.
• Enhance reporting and referral mechanisms for children requiring protection.
• Provide a safe, confidential, and child-friendly environment for children interacting with the police.
• Promote more coordinated and effective child protection services among key stakeholders. 

The official handover ceremony will be attended by the Honourable Minister of Police, who will officially receive the facility on behalf of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service. Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Chief of Police, the District Administrator for Maseru, the Principal Chiefs of Rothe and Matsieng, Members of Parliament for Rothe and Matsieng constituencies, local government representatives, development partners, community leaders, and World Vision Lesotho staff.

Speaking ahead of the handover, World Vision Lesotho Integrated Child Protection Manager, Motlatsi Taaka, said:

"Every child deserves to be heard, protected, and treated with dignity. This Child-Friendly CGPU Office is more than a building—it is a safe space where children can find hope, protection, and justice without fear. By strengthening child protection systems and creating environments designed around the needs of children, we are investing in a future where every child is safe, valued, and able to reach their God-given potential. World Vision Lesotho remains committed to working alongside government, communities, and partners to ensure that no child is left behind."

World Vision Lesotho believes that strong child protection systems are essential to ending violence against children and ensuring their wellbeing. The organization will continue working with government institutions, communities, faith leaders, and other partners to strengthen child protection mechanisms and create safer environments where children can thrive.

About World Vision Lesotho

World Vision International Lesotho is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Since 1987, the organization has partnered with the Government of Lesotho, communities and development partners to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children through interventions in child protection, health and nutrition, education, livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), emergency response and advocacy.

Media Contact

Communications and Digital Officer
Reentseng Phephetho
Email: Reentseng_phephetho@wvi.org
Website: www.wvi.org/lesotho