Several contraceptives set to benefit over 87K girls
Botswana receives generous donation from UNFPA, China
Reproductive health products that have just arrived in Botswana are expected to benefit over 87 000 adolescent girls and young women of reproductive age who continue to face negative sexual and reproductive health issues. The items that include contraceptive tablets, emergency contraceptive pills, condoms, contraceptive injections, among others were donated by the UNFPA, the lead UN agency responsible for Sexual and Reproductive Health in partnership with the People’s Republic of China. The contraceptive commodities were among Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) donated, all worth US$440 000, approximately over P5.2 million. The Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the Family Planning programme in Botswana has performed relatively well over the years, from policy, to programming, and to ensuring universal access.However, the government appreciates efforts of partners to help close Botswana’s gaps and unmet needs in the area of family planning.
Contraceptive prevalence rate increased substantially from 30 percent among women of reproductive age in 1984 to over 67 percent in 2017. In order to advance expansion of contraceptives, Botswana has prioritised family planning in the 2019 International Conference on Population and Development commitments presented globally. “This donation will no doubt ensure access to modern contraceptives for many of
our people. It is a positive development towards the creation of an empowered people in charge of their family planning needs,” the Minister said, adding that it also helps create a supportive and responsive environment within the health system. Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Wang Xuefang believes that by helping adolescent girls and young women to prevent unintended pregnancies, HIV and sexually transmitted infections goes a long way as it would empower young women and ensure that girls remain in school. He added that it would increase women’s participation in economic activities and ultimately reduce poverty among girls and young women. UNFPA Head of Office, Tlangelani Shilubane said that UNFPA’s analysis of family planning service disruptions since Covid-19 in 115 lower and middle income countries, found that access to family planning was hit by travel restrictions, lockdowns, interrupted supply chains
and overwhelmed health facilities. This resulted in frequent stock outs of contraceptives and increases in unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. “One of the key challenges was the fact that male condoms were significantly impacted by the shortage. To us this is worrying considering that it is the main method of choice for spacing and limiting the number of children in Botswana,” Shilubane said, adding that condom use also plays a critical role in preventing HIV and other STIs. She emphasised that women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights must be safeguarded at all costs, services must continue and the most vulnerable of society should be protected and supported. Shilubane added that ensuring a sustained flow of reproductive health commodities is crucial for preventing HIV infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, as well as averting maternal deaths.