Young women need us, all of us!

The recent revelation by the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) regarding the escalating HIV infections amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Botswana demands urgent attention from authorities, parents, the general populace, and particularly, the young women themselves.

The statistics presented by NAHPA’s national coordinator, Ontiretse Letlhare, during a Gala Dinner in honour of First Lady Neo Masisi, emphasise an upsetting reality. AGYW, constituting only nine percent of Botswana’s population, bears the burden of approximately 24% of new HIV infections. This discrepancy raises red flags and necessitates a concerted effort to tackle the trend.

It is troubling that despite Botswana surpassing global UNAIDS targets, the AGYW category lags below the national average in terms of HIV testing and viral suppression. Letlhare rightly points out that this discrepancy hampers the country’s progress towards the ambitious goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

President Mokweetsi Masisi’s call for a collective push towards the 100-100-100 target emphasises the need to bridge the gap in identifying those unaware of their HIV status. As a society, we must ask pertinent questions and actively seek answers to locate the remaining five percent. Failure to do so jeopardises the overall efforts to curb new infections and achieve the 2030 goal.

The acknowledgement of First Lady Neo Masisi as the UNAIDS Champion For The Empowerment and Engagement of Adolescent Girls and Young Women is commendable. Her previous role as a Special Ambassador for young people demonstrated a commitment to youth issues. The establishment of a Youth Engagement Forum under her influence showcases a proactive approach to involving young people in decision-making structures.

Minister Tumiso Rakgare rightly recognises challenges faced by young people, including unemployment, mental health issues, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. Leaders like First Lady Masisi, who actively engages with communities and stakeholders, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.

However, the real change lies in a multi-sectoral approach, as emphasised by Rakgare. Empowering and engaging AGYW requires collaboration across various sectors to yield impactful results. Community leaders, parents, educators, and healthcare providers must join forces to create an environment conducive to the well-being of young women.

Authorities must intensify testing services; parents must foster open communication, and the broader community must actively support initiatives aimed at empowering and engaging young women. It is a shared responsibility to safeguard the health and future of the girl-child in Botswana. The race to end AIDS by 2030 is a collective one and the time to act is now!