Developing key messages to ensure inclusion and accessibility

The partnership forms part of broader efforts under the Inclusive Lesotho programme, funded by the European Union Delegation in Lesotho, to strengthen civic and voter education and promote democratic engagement beyond election day. The workshop adopted a participatory approach to developing key messages and taglines, bringing together representatives of youth, women’s groups, organisations of persons with disabilities, organisations of blind persons, organisations of persons with albinism, the media, guides and sign language interpreters.

Participants identified barriers affecting the electoral participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities, and the diversity of voices helped ensure that the messages developed would resonate with different sections of the population. The workshop successfully mapped and developed core campaign messages, as well as audience-specific messages promoting rights, inclusion, access to electoral processes and active participation. The messages focused on why participation matters, how underserved communities can participate meaningfully, and what policy recommendations can strengthen participatory governance.

One participant noted, “Effective campaign messages are essential to ensure that barriers are clearly understood, rights and available electoral services are communicated in accessible ways, and communities are encouraged to participate meaningfully in democratic and electoral processes.”
The event produced targeted advocacy and awareness-raising messages for women, youth and persons with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on participation, inclusion, information, representation, leadership and advocacy. It concluded with participant-developed calls to action, including the message: “The true measure of democracy is not who wins, but who participates in decision-making. We want a seat at the table. The power is ours.” 

#ThePowerIsOurs

The participants dialogued of the communication channels to use to ensure the messages reach all the constituencies including the platforms to be developed ensuring the message reach far and wide. it is through the event that the consolidated messages, the participants were informed by LNFOD, on its intention to share the messages with the Portfolio Committee of Social Cluster in Parliament. The intended aim is to raise awareness on the legal barriers hindering participation and representation within political parties and ultimately in the National Assembly and the Senate. The event concluded with a clear action plan and key messages as well taglines, cognisant of the EU values and International IDEA's and implementation roadmap.