24 Mar 2015

Young people should be viewed as agents of change and solutions to the challenges faced by the country, says a United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) official, Ms Chada Kealotswe.

Speaking during the commemoration of Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA) in Mahalapye recently, Ms Kealotswe said young people had the energy that needed to be channeled to the right direction hence assisting in achieving the vision 2016 pillar of an HIV free generation.

She noted that it was befitting for the country to commemorate MYAA as it had a youthful nation, adding that 60 per cent of the population was below the age of 30 as revealed by the demographic survey.

Ms Kealotswe said this meant that there was potential for both economic and social progress, hence the need to invest in the health of young people including their sexual and reproductive health to enable their transition from childhood to adulthood as well as to ensure zero new infections by 2016 among young people.

She stated that the country was doing well in the PMTCT therefore, it was important to continue protecting children from contracting HIV during adolescence and youth stage. Ms Kealotswe noted that by knowing how to meet the needs of young people and enabling them to reach their full potential woud define their future.

Even so, Ms Kealotswe said HIV prevalence among the youth was still very high as new HIV transmission were happening even though at a decreasing rate but was still there.

The BAIS II of 2004 recorded HIV prevalence of 6.5 per cent among 15-19 year olds which dropped to 3.7 per cent in 2008 and rose to 4.7 per cent in BIAS IV of 2013 while prevalence rate among 20-24 year olds doubled to 10.3per cent in 2013 BIAS IV, she said.

She said in Mahalapye Sub district, HIV prevalence among 15-19 years stood at 3.9 per cent, 20-24 year olds at 13.9 per cent and 32 per cent for 25-29 year olds.

Botswana, she said continued to strive to ensure that young people have access to programmes that would improve their livelihood such as Youth Development Fund (YDF), Young Farmers Fund as well as access to youth friendly clinical services that provide sexual reproductive health and HIV and AIDS related information and services.

Ms Kealotswe also noted that they were aware that despite the government’s effort there were still barriers blocking them to reach their goal, citing amongst them young people faced with challenges of stigma and discrimination, alcohol and drug abuse, multi concurrent partnerships and other forms of risky behaviours which contribute to the spread of new HIV infections.

She encouraged youth to make wise and informed choices regarding their health and avoid engaging in risky behaviours and activities.  She further advised them to know their HIV status together with their partners and avoid the myth that knowing your HIV status brings about shame, depression and prevents one from enjoying life.

HIV positive-activist, Ms Fiona Lekgetho said it was a pity that the youth were reluctant to test and urged them to know their status and live healthy lifestyles.

Ms Lekgetho said Batswana should adjust their attitude towards HIV to ensure that HIV positive people accept themselves and feel accepted by the community.

She encouraged those affected to take medication prescribed by doctors and develop a positive mind towards life in order to achieve all their life dreams,” she said.  ENDS