02 Dec 2018

First Lady Ms Neo Masisi  led a panel discussion on Adolescents, Girls and Young Women (AGYW) symposium at Stepping Stones International (SSI) in Mochudi, where she encouraged girls and young women to say no to transactional sex and dating older men.

Speaking during the panel discussion recently, Ms Masisi encouraged girls to refrain from early sexual relationships, but rather focus on education so that they could afford the fine things they wished for instead of  dating sugar daddies.

She said she was shocked that some girls start sex at the age of 13 and advised them not to indulge in sex at a tender age because it was risky as they were vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs.) She added that alcohol and drugs were a concern.

Ms Masisi said the challenges that young girls meet needed concerted efforts from all stakeholders to work towards creating an enabling environment for them to grow and thrive.

She said transactional sex remained a challenge for them as the so called blessers destroyed the lives of girls and put them at the risk of pregnancy and STIs as well as HIV.

The first lady called for campaigns against sex and drugs at schools such as  electronic boards bearing such messages as ‘No to Sex and Drugs’ and have junior ambassadors who  could voice out challenges they were faced with.

In addition, Ms Masisi said all should fight to end HIV/AIDS, saying the  ARVs were digging deep into the governments coffers, the money she said could have  been used for other developments.

Many girls and mothers who attended the symposium said they faced several challenges in their lives as they go through difficulties in meeting their needs in life.

One of the participants, Ms Natasha Rakapo said some parents do not talk to their children about sexual issues and turn against them when they fall pregnant.

Another speaker Ms Phatsimo Radikgomo encouraged fellow girls to abstain from sex and focus on their education so that they could have careers that would help them live better lives.

One of the panelists, Pastor Dimpho Mogapi said the church was also affected by the challenges faced by girls in the community.

He called on all to give everything to God for he knows their needs, adding that when one neglects God they invite problems into their lives.

Pastor Mogapi encouraged the girls to trust God to meet their needs. ENDS