14 Jul 2021

First Lady Neo Masisi has vowed to continue championing HIV prevention efforts among young people and bring partners together.

She was speaking in Gaborone Tuesday during the launch of a strategic framework for her role as UNAIDS special ambassador for the empowerment and engagement of young people in Botswana.

“I continue to promise my renewed energy and passion in this next part of the journey before us,” she told her audience.

The first lady said Botswana had made positive strides in the past two decades following the placing of HIV/AIDS as one of the key health priorities.

However, she said 33 per cent of annual new HIV infections showed that young people aged between 15 and 24 were affected, with adolescent girls and young women recording the highest rates.

She said the 2020-2023 framework would form the core basis for interventions to address the needs of young Batswana.

Ms Masisi said the framework was unique and enlightening as it was done in a way that truly satisfied young people’s demands.

A multi-sectoral task team provided guidance, resources and technical expertise while youth consultative teams productively and eagerly participated in the formulation process, Ms Masisi said.

She explained that the framework’s priority areas took account of needs in different age cohorts hinging around HIV/AIDS, social and economic empowerment as well as mental health and wellness.

Ms Masisi urged young people to partake in the strategy by offering their energy, talents, skills, ideas and innovative minds.

In his welcome remarks, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Kabo Morwaeng promised that government would rally behind the initiative.

He said it would bring a positive impact on the lives of young people not only in Botswana but across the region.

Pointing out that HIV/AIDS presented a big hurdle to development endeavours, Minister Morwaeng said it was encouraging for young people and stakeholders to take responsibility to overcome such obstacles.

He thanked the first lady for her UNAIDS endeavours and finding it prudent to work with young people in order to build a brighter future for them. Ends