The objective of this paper is to survey what type of information and documentation on women exists in Lesotho; to examine where and how it is accumulated, disseminated and used; to assess the strengths and weaknesses of those methods in practise, and then to determine strategies on how an adequate documentation system may be developed and be fitted into the existing national, regional and international documentation infrastructure.

It will be noted that the beginning of the UN Decade for Women in 1975 marks the point of departure for this survey. The period is so marked because it prominently opened a debate on women issues; it stimulated research and gave birth to various associations/organisations, all of which generated massive literature as well as introducing vigorous communication on the subject.