Youth commit to no sex before marriage

THATO CHWAANE
Staff Writer | Thursday March 15, 2007 00:00

She got inspiration from her mother, Onkemetse Kebapetse, who noticed many pregnancies at the time. Twinkle and some of her peers have moved a step further and joined a Vision Anti-AIDS Club in Sowa Town. The club comprises young people who have pledged to abstain from sex before marriage.

The club has 23 active members, 10 males and 13 females. Their ages range from 12 to 18. However, there are older non-active members who are now outside the country pursuing further studies.

Twinkle said that they do what other normal young people do like partying and dating, but that they all have agreed not to drink. The club members meet on a weekly basis to talk about 'everything.' She said her mother was looking at expanding the club beyond Sowa Town and finding someone passionate about youth issues to coordinate it.

Twinkle emphasised the need for parents to talk to youngsters and that the young people should avoid peer pressure. She was among the speakers at the Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA) press conference hosted by Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) on Monday.

The BNYC national coordinator Ndulamo Morima reflected on the positive impact the commemorations have had on young people over the past 10 years. He said that there has been a decline in HIV prevelence in young people and a reduction in teenage pregnancies. 

Morima said that more voices of the youth are being heard, unlike before.
He noted that their collaboration with Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) has resulted in the youth having friendly health services.

He hailed the youth involved in the anti-AIDS club and said that people could still abstain even after having had sex by remaining celibate.

During the month against AIDS, young people collaborate with various partners in HIV/AIDS sensitisation, community mobilisation and advocacy campaigns throughout the country. This year's theme 'commit to zero transmission, keep the promise' runs from last year.

The acting BNYC executive director, Tinah Molatlhegi emphasised that it is right to say no to sex or pregnancy in order to commit to the zero transmission requirement. She advised the media to live what they write.