Young women need us, all of us! :: Mmegi Online

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.

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