Botswana: First Lady Leads Youth-Focused Efforts Ahead of World Aids Day

Frontline Aids
Domestic financing for HIV prevention and Abuja Declaration targets Our reports show that funding from international donors remains the highest contributor to HIV prevention in Africa, especially for programmes aimed at key population communities, such as men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and people who use and inject drugs. Beyond HIV prevention, governments of all nine African countries analysed in our reports are falling far short of meeting the target to spend 15% of their national budgets on health, as set out within the Abuja Declaration. This reliance on international donors threatens the sustainability of the HIV prevention response, particularly now with international funding for HIV decreasing and a number of donor countries cutting their aid budgets, or reallocating aid to other areas. It also raises questions about each governments’ commitment to ending AIDS as a public health priority.
28 November 2023
Botswana Daily News (Gaborone)
By Taboka Ngwako

Gaborone — The First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi will embark on a series of youth-led activities ahead of the World AIDS Day commemoration slated for Friday in Nata.

The activities include a visit to Maposa Primary School and a youth symposium in Nata.

Ms Masisi is set to visit Maposa Primary School today, where she will participate in a children's corner event starting at 330pm, under the theme: What Makes My Community Better.

Tommorrow, the First Lady is expected to be a part of a youth symposium at Pelican Lodge in Nata, which will be centred on the importance of youth taking responsibility for their health and environment.

Furthermore, she is anticipated to participate in a session dedicated to young mothers in Nata tommorrow, under the theme: Exploring Opportunities for a Young Mother.

The event will be followed by a young mothers' session picnic commencing at 2pm.

Prior to World AIDS Day commemoration side events, Ms Masisi will launch a campaign in Gaborone today under the theme: We Are Equal. Working Together, Our Society Can Be Too.

The campaign pioneered by the Organisation of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) focuses on four pillars namely; health, gender based violence, education and economic empowerment.

The movement aims to rally stakeholders and call for action around the key issues in order to enhance gender equality.

OAFLAD is an advocacy organisation where First Ladies of Africa seek to leverage their unique position to advocate for policies that make health services accessible and laws which boost women and youth empowerment.

The First Lady will also grace the World AIDS Day commemoration to be held under the theme: Let Communities Lead.

BOPA

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