17 Sep 2013

Botswana Young Women Christians Association (YWCA) is in the processing of reviving Peer Approach to Counseling for Teens (PACT).

YWCA national executive director, Ms Botswelelo John said during a recent workshop Selebi Phikwe that after funding of the organisation was stopped sometime back, PACT faded away, and due to this factor, teens of today were lacking guidance in their lives and falling into traps of social ills.

She said more youth were contracting HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, she said more teens were dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancy while large number of them engaged in drug and alcohol abuse. She said teens, especially girls, lacked empowerment to stand against social ills such as inter-generational sexual relationships, rape, defilement and incest.

She said all the problems in which more youth were engaging in, or fell victim to, showed that guidance, counseling and empowerment especially by parents was lacking behind in society and teachers in schools alone could not handle the heavy burden.

“Due to this effect, PACT had to be revived to play a meaningful role in society as it used to by guiding youth and showing them the right direction in life so that they do not fall victims to such social ills, “she said.

She explained that NACA had awarded the organisation P250 000 to help fight social ills that led to HIV infections. She called on all organisations and Batswana to support their cause in order to pave way for future generations.

Meanwhile, an officer under YWCA, Miss Refilwe Dema noted that PACT was established in 1990 by the Botswana YWCA in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). “PACT was established in most primary and secondary schools but currently the initiative has since been dormant,” she said.

She said the main aim for the establishment of PACT was to provide factual information and skills that assisted youth to develop and maintain self-esteem, promote awareness on youth values and the consequences of their decisions and actions.

Furthermore, she noted that the club was introduced to increase and improve communication between parents and youth regarding important areas of their lives and to establish youth partnerships.

“The programme recruited and trained youth aged between 10 to 24 years in order to empower them and build their self-confidence. The training enabled them to make informed choices or decisions about their sexual behavior, thereby minimizing the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections as well as HIV,” she said adding that PACT also gave youth skills on effective communication, leadership, self-awareness and self-discipline.

She said currently to revive the PACT movement; they are fostering strategic partnership by making consultation with relevant institutions like ministries of Education and Skills Development; and Youth, Sports and Culture.

“We are also in the process of establishing an internal coordinating team to revive the program and training peer educators within the organisation,”she said.

For her part YWCA operations manager Mrs Keamogetse Mokobi said the PACT programme will be integrated with wellness programs. She said through PACT, basic counseling and referral by peers would take place.

She said her organisation will work hand in hand with government leadership, adding that currently they were striving for resource mobilisation for PACT activities.

She called on all stakeholders, government and parastatal organisation to give support towards the revival of PACT in Botswana.  Ends

Botswana Young Women Christians Association (YWCA) is in the processing of reviving Peer Approach to Counseling for Teens (PACT).

YWCA National Executive Director, Ms Botswelelo John said during a workshop held at Bosele Hotel last week that after funding of the organisation was stopped sometime back, PACT faded away, and due to this factor teens of today were lacking guidance in their lives and falling into traps of social ills.

She said more youth were contracting HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Further, she said more teens were dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancy while large number of them engaged in drug and alcohol abuse. She said teens especially girls lacked empowerment to stand against social ills such as inter-generational sexual relationships, rape, defilement and incest.

She said all the problems in which more youth were engaging in, or fell victim to, showed that guidance, counseling and empowerment especially by parents was lacking behind in society and teachers in schools alone could not handle the heavy burden.

“Due to this effect, PACT had to be revived to play a meaningful role in society as it used to by guiding youth and showing them the right direction in life so that they do not fall victims to such social ills, “she said.

She explained that NACA had awarded the organisation P250 000 to help fight social ills that lead to HIV infections. She called on all organisations and Batswana to support their cause in order to pave way for future generations.

Meanwhile, an officer under YWCA, Miss Refilwe Dema noted that PACT was established in 1990 by the Botswana YWCA in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“PACT was established in most primary and secondary schools but currently the initiative has since been dormant,” she said.

She said the main aim for the establishment of PACT was to provide factual information and skills that assisted youth to develop and maintain self-esteem, promote awareness on youth values and the consequences of their decisions and actions.

Further, she noted that the club was introduced to increase and improve communication between parents and youth regarding important areas of their lives and to establish youth partnerships.

“The program recruited and trained youth aged between 10 to 24 years in order to empower them and build their self-confidence. The training enabled them to make informed choices or decisions about their sexual behavior, thereby minimizing the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections as well as HIV,” she said adding that PACT also gave youth skills on effective communication, leadership, self-awareness and self-discipline.

She said currently to revive the PACT movement; they are fostering strategic partnership by making consultation with relevant institutions like ministries of Education and Skills Development; and Youth, Sports and Culture.

“We are also in the process of establishing an internal coordinating team to revive the program and training peer educators within the organisation,”she said.

For her part YWCA operations manager Mrs Keamogetse Mokobi said the PACT programme will be integrated with wellness programs. She said through PACT, basic counseling and referral by peers would take place.

She said her organisation will work hand in hand with government leadership, adding that currently they were striving for resource mobilisation for PACT activities.

She called on all stakeholders, government and parastatal organisation to give support towards the revival of PACT in Botswana. Ends