Abandonment creates risks for the wellbeing of children, while compromising their prospects for social adjustment and advancement. This implies pressure on a country's fiscal base through probable lifelong dependence on public resources. The need for prevention of child abandonment in Lesotho and elsewhere can therefore not be overstated. This article, based on research in progress, discusses possible dangers of child abandonment and neglect, using attachment theory as its theoretical grounding. It considers findings based on two samples (professionals and adoptive mothers) and offers recommendations for the prevention of child abandonment and the protection of abandoned children, with specific reference to Lesotho.

Lesotho has the third highest rate of HIV prevalence in the world. One of the factors accounting for this trend is thought to be ubiquitous labour migration in the country. This article uses data collected among migrant labour women in Maseru (N = 30) to investigate possible factors for the spread of HIV among them. A high rate of multiple concurrent sexual relationships, coupled with lack of commitment to condom use, was found among participants. This article proposes social action to pressure industry merchants to facilitate regular meetings of migrants with regular sexual partners.

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