04 Aug 2026

Sexual relations between minors and adults are a moral decay which exposes teenagers to the risks of getting pregnant before maturity, childbearing as well as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), including HIV and AIDS, says First Lady Kaone Boko.

Addressing teen mothers, pregnant adolescents and community members at Digawana Kgotla on Friday in line with her landmark MPEPU initiative, Ms Boko said age discordant sexual relations involving adolescents with older partners could result in increased unintended teenage pregnancies and STI.

As such, she said collective interventions targeted at teenage populations and the community would go a long way in assisting to deal with the challenging environment.

She added that prevention efforts should target potential teenage and adult partners. Ms Boko expressed concern that early child birth had its own challenges as the body of a young mother was not fully developed.

Additionally, she cited that after an adolescent gets infected with HIV from the elder sexual partners, it would be spread to their peers, making it an uphill battle for the nation to win the fight against HIV and AIDS.

She underscored that it was critical to identify mechanisms through which relationships, especially those with older partners were to be discouraged. 

Ms Boko said age discordant sexual relations between minors and elders had complicated dynamics, involving unique social lifestyles and power considerations linked to increased risky sexual behaviours and negative reproductive outcomes.

Ms Boko acknowledged that adolescents were vulnerable and bound to make mistakes, adding that such faults should not be used against them by the community or parents.

 She added that adolescent mothers should not be subjected to stigma, rather be supported by all means to build a better future.

Ms Boko also underscored the significance of having youth friendly health facilities where adolescents freely access health education on family planning, birth control devises without being ridiculed. 

Ms Boko expressed concern on the increasing gender based violence cases as well as passion killings, which she noted were a menace to the society, appealing  for all to rise to the challenge and enforce behavioural change. 

Speaking at the same event, a 17-year-old pregnant adolescent of Gopong, poured out her fears. 

The expectant teenager said her condition has left her in the whirlwind as she was subjected to stigmatisation and facing rejection from her family. 

She cried out that she had no one to turn to and had resorted to doing temporary employment to be able to fend for herself and prepare for the expected baby’s birth. 

She said pregnant teenagers had to deal with emotions, therefore in need of tailor-made programmes, encouraging them to go back to school and learn life skills. 

Additionally, she pleaded for counselling services for girls and parents so that families did not reject them during a time when they need their support the most.

“I know I have made a mistake but I still have dreams, I am asking you to stand with us so that we and our children can have a better future,” she cried out.

Goodhope District Deputy Council Secretary for Primary Health, Dr Tom Baaisi said of the four healthcare facilities in the area namely; Mogojogojo, Lorwana, Gopong and Digawana, only one, being Digawana was a 24 hour clinic which with a maternity.

 Dr Baaisi said the health facilities assisted adolescent mothers by offering them sexual reproductive health education. 

Dr Baaisi said in 2024, the district health facilities registered 22 teenage mothers, 28 in 2025 and so far has registered six in the current year. 

Goodhope-Mmathethe Member of Parliament, Dr Edwin Dikoloti appreciated the First Lady for her Mpepu initiative and for actively involving Bahumagadi in the realisation of the initiative. 

Dr Dikoloti said the programme focused on early childhood development, child protection, maternal care and positive parenting. 

Therefore, Dr Dikoloti was optimistic that Mpepu was destined to yield the desired results for the community and future generation.ENDS