Interactions by opposite sexes at gatherings such as at the forthcoming second youth games will allude to just how humans are sexual beings.
It’s no surprise therefore that organizations like the Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) are expressing concerned not only about HIV/AIDS prevalence, but also the escalating instances of unplanned pregnancies and abortions that could take place at such major events.
The games serve as an entry point to reach out to all young people and adolescent in different areas in Botswana and Africa as a whole.
BOFWA is concerned with educating young people on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and promoting Family Planning using dual protection.
“Dual means two methods of protection. Partners should use both condoms and other contraceptive methods like the Intrauterine Device (IUD). As BOFWA we are simply emphasizing the usage of condoms and other family planning methods,” explained Kagoyarona Kakanyo, the organization’s Adolescent Project Coordinator. “Our priority is not only HIV and AIDS but also pregnancy and abortion as the rates which are increasing and the public is not aware of correct and consistent condom usage.”
She said CSE is a systematic approach in empowering young people with life skills that will enable them to deal with socio-economic and health challenges.
BOFWA in collaboration with the National Aids Coordinating Agency (NACA), Ministry of Health, United Nations and Tebelopele Counseling and Testing Centre will provide HIV prevention services during the upcoming youth games.
A cocktail party will be hosted by these stakeholders at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) on Thursday, May 21 from 1800 to 2000hrs.
Themed, ‘Access to sexual reproductive health; my right my responsibility’, the initiative is premeditated to bring together civil society, private entities and ministries to strengthen HIV prevention efforts and foster positive health outcomes by advocating for access to quality family planning and comprehensive sexuality education.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for actions which scale up delivery of sexuality education and related health services, support joint action around developing programs in sport, sharing information, strengthening linkages and referrals between schools and health services.
