A team of the European Union Delegation to Lesotho, led by Ambassador Paola Amadei, and diplomats from the embassies of Belgium and Germany accredited to Lesotho joined the annual Moshoeshoe Walk, a historic 116-kilometre journey from Menkhoaneng to Thaba Bosiu. It was the second year ‘Team Europe’ officially joined the trek. This event honours Moshoeshoe I, the first king of Lesotho, who united various peoples to form the Basotho nation after fleeing from modern-day northern Lesotho to Thaba Bosiu, the country's historical birthplace, in 1824.

The 2025 edition  culminated on International Women's Day, the 8th of March. To emphasise the EU's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, the Delegation co-sponsored the t-shirts donned by all participants on that day, bearing the EU logo.

EU Ambassador Amadei highlighted the EU focus in Lesotho on improving people’s lives through improved access to water, electricity, and justice across the country and its impact on women and children. "By enhancing access to water and  electricity, communities as a whole benefit but in particular women and children who are freed from the burden of collecting water and firewood. By improving access to justice all Basotho benefit but women and children in particular as they are more often victims of crime and gender-based violence", she said. During the walk, World Vision Lesotho showcased the EU-funded Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (PPHR) project, raising awareness about human trafficking and reporting mechanisms to protect and empower local communities and children.

Equally the ReNOKA programme, co-funded by the EU and the German Government, used the walk to raise awareness on sustainable water and soil conservation practices and climate change adaptation.

Like every year, the walk presided by His Majesty King Letsie III and led by Her Majesty Queen Masenate marked a powerful moment of reflection and action for both local communities and international participants stressing the resilience and heritage of the Basotho nation and the bonds of friendship and partnership . It served as a poignant reminder that, like King Moshoeshoe I's historic journey, the path to gender equality a is one we must walk together, step by step.