MASERU, Dec. 3 -- Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (LCN) Women and Children Coordinator Mantsalla Ramakhula says a degree to which abuse is accepted as a norm by women in the country is alarming and requires urgent intervention measures.

Most of the women she said don't view abuse as "abuse" but rather as a way things are supposed to be, with regards the treatment they get from their male counterparts, especially in relationships. Married women, she noted are unaware that they have rights that protect them against such abuse and that they should rightfully be granted economic freedom, freedom of speech and be engaged in decision making just like their husbands.

To bridge this gap, Ramakhula revealed that LCN through thr...