ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the national approaches to sustainable enterprise in Lesotho. It includes key information about the priority issues, trends, and government policies as well as best-practice case studies of sustainable enterprise in Lesotho. The historically patriarchal structure of gender relations in Lesotho resulted in lack of rights for women that led to poverty and hindered women's empowerment and capability to build sustainable livelihoods. Major causes of poverty in Lesotho include unemployment, inadequate distribution of assets and power, reliance on government to provide economic and social services, low agricultural productivity and declines in remittances from South African mines, as well as severe degradation of natural resources on which the livelihoods of many rural poor depend. Lesotho can fight the battle against poverty by promoting shared prosperity through job creation, social safety nets and green growth. It has signed the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Decent Work Country Programme to develop an effective employment policy framework and promote sustainable enterprises.
