A landmark ruling in the Lesotho Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal to declare as unconstitutional the reservation of one third of the country’s local government seats for women. An aspirant male ward councilor Molefi TÅ¡epe lodged the complaint with the Lesotho Independent Electoral Commission.

The phrase ”too little, too late” is taking on new meaning in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as countries race to meet the SADC-set 2005 target of 30 % women’s representation in decision-making structures. The first democratic local government elections in Lesotho are due to take place on April 30.