Youth take the lead in HIV fight

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday March 23, 2026 06:00

Tlotlo Lilian Moilwa, Bokamoso Jwa Rona (BJR) Network Secretary, feels passionately about the importance of youth involvement in the HIV response.

“When we speak about youth at the centre of the HIV response, I do not hear statistics, I do not see graphs, I do not see policy documents. I see faces, I see stories, I see resilience, and I see myself,” she said.

Statistics have, over the years, shown that the youth in Botswana bear the brunt of new HIV infections annually, with further studies indicating that generational and often transactional relationships with the old and young are at the heart of stubborn incidence and prevalence rates.

By 2021, according to the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey V report, it was estimated that 2,239 people were infected every year in the country, with women aged 15 to 24 years accounting for more than a third or 36%. In terms of prevalence, or the number of people living with HIV, adults aged between 50 and 64 account for nearly 27%.

Anecdotal evidence suggested that some older men take advantage of young girls and use them sexually, as most of the time these are young women and girls who have no power to bargain or refuse.

Speaking of Bokamoso Jwa Rona recently, Moilwa highlighted the network’s determination to move beyond tokenism and ensure true partnership with young people.

“Bokamoso Jwa Rona is more than a structure; it is a promise. A promise that young people will not just attend meetings, but we will shape them,” she declared.

The network’s name, Bokamoso Jwa Rona, translates to ‘Our Future’ in English, symbolising the youth’s ownership of their destiny. Moilwa emphasised that the network is built on the principles of youth leadership, empowerment, and inclusivity.

She said the centre of the HIV response is not a building, nor a strategy, or a funding stream.

“It is a young person daring to believe their life matters.” The network’s objectives include promoting youth leadership, reducing stigma and discrimination, and increasing access to HIV services. The youth are also committed to advocating for policy changes that benefit young people living with HIV.

BJR vice chairperson, Polite Kepaletswe, echoed the sentiment, thanking partners and stakeholders for their support.

“We have proved that youth are ready to lead,” she said, emphasising the importance of the network as a safe space for young people.

“We come together with different backgrounds, different journeys, different districts; what holds us together is our one goal, which is to help each other, and to live dignified lives which are healthy and empowered.”

The launch was attended by government officials, partners, civil society, and media, demonstrating the power of collaboration.