Young people in the dark about SDGs and Agenda 2063
As many young people as possible will be made aware of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 before it is too late.
Trevor Oahile, the National Point of Contact for Goals Afrika non-governmental organisation, observes that while there is talk about SDGs and Agenda 2036, not many young people know and understand their significance even though they are the ones who will actively participate in their implementation and realisation as adults.
Oahile, who heads the team of 53 volunteers in Botswana says Goals Afrika plans to hold educational talks and reach out to as many young people as possible within the shortest possible time.
The team held an awareness campaign that allowed young people to reflect on some of the national policies that affect them and propose reviews that will propel positive change.
“There is need to include, for example, comprehensive sexual education in the school curriculum by the Ministry of Basic Education.
“Our education system should be intentional about such issues especially in junior and senior schools. Pupils should intensively be taught about issues relating to sexual reproductive health,” Oahile said.
He added that following the review in 2018 of the age of consent from 16 to 18 in the Children’s Act, very little effort has gone into popularising the amendment.
“This lack of information tends to cause many to commit sexual crimes without knowing, leading to a rapid increase in defilement cases,” said Oahile, adding that information sharing should also be extended to rural areas.
Oahile believes that since Africa’s youth population currently stands at just over 67 percent, policy and law making should involve them.
Goals Afrika is made up of 12 African countries.