Young mothers grateful for support
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday December 13, 2022 06:00
Sharing her life experience as a young mother, 23-year-old Gorata Koketso, said having a baby at a young age was not easy.
She explained that her boyfriend disappeared into thin air after she told him she was pregnant. She was studying at Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies (GUC) at the time.
“Even now I do not know where my child’s father is. Being a student and single mother was hard. At times I thought of leaving school because I was going through a lot but fortunately I have a loving mother and best friend who are my pillars of strength,” she said.
She explained that even though she had immense support, she sometimes failed to cope with her pregnancy or being a young parent. One day she saw a post of a young mother who shared her experience and challenges.
Koketso said through the post she got to know about Young Mother’s Support Network established by Inspired Horizon Association, got their contacts and joined. She also explained that the association helped her a lot.
Through the network they many experiences, encouraged each other to love and care for themselves and their children. For her part, Tlotlo Bolaane from Peo Tema said young mothers as much as they were responsible for their mental health, they were also responsible for their children’s mental health as well. She urged the mothers to create a conducive environment for their children.
She also advised them to go to different health facilities to seek help whenever they feel emotionally suppressed.
According to Inspired Horizon Association health and advocacy officer, Thatayaone Makabanyana, the organisation was formed after Kaene Disepe realised that adolescent girls and young women’s voices were silent and they had less representation in leadership even though they faced some challenges such as social exclusion, economic and sexual violence.
She said many of local young mothers, more especially those in marginalised rural areas, were not prioritised.
“Our objectives include gathering relevant information and stories from young mothers about their lived experiences to inform age-tailored, genders responsive policies and youth-friendly services.
We also aim to co-create safe spaces for meaningful participation by Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), in national development agenda settings and advocacy through strengthened referral and multi-sectoral linkages,” she pointed out.
Makabanyana added that they intended to promote social and behavior change communication addressing cultural and gender norms including gender-based violence, intergenerational and transactional sex and other risky behaviours. Young Mothers Support Programme supports pregnant or mothers who are AGYW between 15 and 25 years.
Inspired Horizons partnered with different stakeholders to help the young mothers and their children. Disepe said they started off with 15 young mothers but currently have over 150 members in the Greater Gaborone which reflects that there is a problem and more young mothers need help. He added that they will be expanding beyond Gaborone to central district.