Chapter Two
Young women's Pregnancy 'Problem': The setting
2.1 Introduction
In this chapter I present the context of the study that I conducted in Lesotho. In order to understand the experiences of young pregnant women I discover specific dynamics that outline the spaces within which the women negotiate their lives. I present Lesotho in relation to the national gender situation, family, and school environment and how young women's pregnancy fits into the picture. I use the events and occurrences of the past as a way to view 'historical and contemporary' experiences together in order to widen the understanding of life at a particular time (Cole and Knowles, 2001:80). I also use literature to bring about relational encounters of young women's pregnancy in Lesotho with other parts of the world. Considering that experience is highly context based, it is imperative that I describe the context of the study.
Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana Chapter Two: Young women's Pregnancy 'Problem' : The setting
through the constitution that embraces non-discriminatory policies. The country operates with two legal systems in that the Constitution embraces customary law as a parallel legal system. The situation is complex for progress in women's issues as under customary law women are marginalized and remain perpetual minors (Letuka et al., 1998 and Mapetla and Nkhasi-Tuoane, 2003). The status of women in the manner suggests that all unmarried women are under the custodian of their fathers or brothers. When women marry they then belong under their husbands' custodian. If the husband dies the son or a closest male relative will look after the woman in case there was no son born in her family. The meaning here is that women will not make any major decisions or own property,especially land.
2.3 Lesotho'sinternational relations
The United Nations marked the period 1975-1985 as a decade for women of the world and the Nairobi International Conference followed this in Africa on women's issues.
These periods mark a heightened international concern for the low status of women globally. There are concerns about the lack of women's participation in all issues (Lephoto, 1995; Singh, 2000; Naidoo, 2002). However, studies point out that the advancement of women's participation has not made much progress to date, (Buvinic, 1986; Kerr, 193; Lockwood, 1992). Some marked changes did occur in Lesotho around the abovementioned period.The development of a Women's Bureau is a hallmark of the transformation. The bureau is charged with the role to act and advocate on behalf of the women of Lesotho (UNICEF,1991; Lephoto, 1995 and The Women'sBureau, 1986).
In participation with other African states, Lesotho has signed some major conventions of the United Nations. Lesotho, in addition, has ratified the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and the Convention on the Eradication of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)(Longwe, 1990). CEDAW is a treaty that is among the top powerful legal tools and documents in the policing of countries to uphold standards with regard to women's issues (Anand, 1993).
The country's participation in meetings like the International Conference and Population and Development (lCPD) is indicative of its commitment to the advancement of women. In such meetings,the agenda includes the reproductive and sexual rights of teenagers. As a result of the meeting, Lesotho has developed and finalised the National Population Policy. Another step instituted by the government is its response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It has put in place a national strategy that, among many aspects, stresses the need to involve young people in the battle against HIV/AIDS.This move is encouraging as HIVIAIDS and teenage pregnancy share certain spaces,as I alluded to in chapter one.
Different government ministries have also developed sector policies in support of these national moves. For example, the Ministry of Health has developed the National Reproductive Health Policy and National Adolescent Health Policy as specific responses to the reproductive health of young people. In addition, the policies safeguard the reproductive rights of the young people (Mapetla and Tuoane-Nkhasi, 2003). Within the Ministry of Gender,Youth,Sports and Recreation a youth policy has been completed.
In the policy there is reference to young mothers and the indication of an attempt to address their problems. The goal of the policy is stated as "To promote the dignity and self esteem of all Lesotho youths;ensure their physical,intellectual and moral well being;
and take all measures to accelerate their full participation in the socio-economic;cultural and political life as healthy, active and productive citizens of the nation" (Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation Youth Policy, 2002:12). The policy identifies youth as"essential human resources" that, in the Lesotho context,face several economic, social, political, psychological and cultural challenges. The young people are therefore nested in the centre of the existing power struggles while they battle to be independent in a society that treats them as dependents. This leads to a conflict of expectations in relation to the roles they are supposed to play. My thinking behind this is that the social unacceptability of teenage pregnancy adds to the already large numbers of disadvantaged groups of individuals in Lesotho. The policy addresses the issue by specifically stating that pregnant girls should not be expelled from school.
Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana Chapter Two: Young women's Pregnancy 'Problem': The setting