BOTSWANA YOUTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RISKS: REFLECTIONS ON SOME INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

Authors

  • Gbolagade Adekanmbi Independent Researcher
  • Tapologo Maundeni University of Botswana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/1727-7140/1623

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS, youth, Botswana, health

Abstract

This paper explores the theme of health-related risks among the youth in Botswana. It examines a number of intervention strategies geared toward addressing the problems associated with these risks. The paper notes that Botswana has made considerable progress in the provision of social services, including services that aim to diminish health-related risks among the youth. The dimensions of these interventions have ranged from government policy initiatives to school-based programmes, deliberate development of youth action plans, the involvement of tertiary institutions, the activities of non-governmental organisations and the intervention of faith-based organisations. Despite these interventions, some challenges still exist. For some of the organisations, these challenges include a lack of capacity and shortage of funds. In tertiary institutions, the transitory nature of students’ residence, the under-utilisation of services and human resource constraints are problematic. Adolescents remain exposed to sexually-transmitted diseases, and too little attention is given to youth with disabilities. The paper suggests that there is a need to employ social workers in schools, create greater awareness in tertiary institutions, engage in further research and documentation on the subject, and ensure an aggressive pursuit of the training of youth officers.

References

Adekanmbi, G. and T. Maundeni. 2008. Promoting Quality in a Distance Education Programme in an African University. Commonwealth Youth and Development 6(2): 33–51.

Ark for Children. 2003. Balekane mmogo ba dira mophato. Maun, Botswana: People and Nature Trust.

Botswana Behavioural and Prevention Issues.†Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies 15(2): 204–210.

Branco, C.C. and P.G. Moanakwena. 2004. Teacher Capacity Building Project. Lentswe la Lesedi.

Gaborone, Botswana: Ministry of Education.

Busang, E.M. 1999. “HIV/AIDS Education and Counseling: A Challenge to the School Community.†Report of the Proceedings of the National Counselling Conference, Gaborone, 24–25 March, 1999: 167–173.

Daily News. 2013. “Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture: Excellence, Botshelo, Creativityâ€, 1 August.

Dekker, J.J. 2009. “Children At Risk in History: A Story of Expansion.†Pedagogical Historica 45(1–2): 17–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00309230902746206

Face the Nation (FTN) Annual Report, 2009. Gaborone: Open Baptist Church.

Face the Nation (FTN) Annual Report, 2010. Gaborone: Open Baptist Church. FTN. See Face the Nation.

Government of Botswana (undated).

Government of Botswana. 2013. Job Effectiveness Description. Gaborone: Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. UNDP 2013. Human Development Report: New York: UNDP.

Kapunda, S.M. and B.D. Moffat. 2010. “Corruption Control, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in SADC: The Case of Botswana and Tanzania.†Paper presented at the SAUSSC Conference, Mafi keng, South Africa, 20–22 January (Unpublished).

Kelly, M. 2003. “The Signifi cance of HIV/AIDS for Universities in Africa.†Journal of Higher Education in Africa 1(1): 1–23.

Lohmann, I. and C. Meyer. 2009. “Lessons from the History of Education for a ‘Century of the Child at Risk’’’. Pedagogical Historica 45(1–2): 1–16.

Maundeni, T. 2006. “The Silent Survivors of HIV/AIDS: A Quest for Comprehensive and Inclusive Strategies in Botswana. In HIV/AIDS in Africa: The Not So Silent Presence, ed. M. Kasiram, M, R.

Partab, and B. Dano, 55–63. Durban: Print Connection.

Maundeni, T. 2010. Challenges faced in the Implementation of Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Botswana. Journal of Social Development in DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jsda.v25i1.54279

Africa 25(1): 59–84.

Maundeni, T., Segwabe, M. and Z. Mokomane. 2007. “Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS at the University of Botswana: Progress, Lessons Learned and the Way Forward.†Mimeograph.

Moatshe, B. 2004. “The Impact of Declining Donor Support on the Sustainability of Non-governmental

Organizations in Botswana: Insights from some NGO Managers in Botswana.†Research project submitted in partial fulfi lment of the degree in Social Work, University of Botswana.

Monowe, S.B. 2002. “Challenges Facing Guidance and Counselling Programmes in Schools:

A Case Study carried out on Linchwe Secondary School.†Dissertation submitted in partial

fulfi lment of the Bachelor of Social Work Degree, Department of Social Work, University of

Botswana.

Motswagosele, D.P. 1999. “The Challenges on the Implementation of Guidance and Counselling programmes in the Community Junior Secondary Schools of Botswana.†In the Report of the Proceedings of the National Counselling Conference, Gaborone, 24–25 March.

NACA (National AIDS Coordinating Agency). 2003. National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework 2003-

Gaborone: Ministry of Health.

Nkomazana, F. 2007. “Christian ethics and HIV/AIDS in Botswana.†In Christian Ethics and HIV/AIDS in Africa, ed. J. Amanze, 48–69. Gaborone: Bay Publishing.

Presidential Task Force, Republic of Botswana. 1997. Vision 2016. Gaborone: Government Printer.

Ratsatsi, E. 2000. “Evaluation of the Guidance and Counselling Programmes in Boarding Schools: A Case Study of Molefi Senior Secondary School’’. Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Bachelor of Social Work Degree, Department of Social Work, University of Botswana.

Republic of Botswana. 2000. Statistical Bulletin 25(1), March. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-8732(00)82006-9

Republic of Botswana (Central Statistics Office). 2001. Education statistics, 2001. Gaborone: Government Printers.

Republic of Botswana. 2001. Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Results Brief. Gaborone:

Census Office 2001.

Republic of Botswana. 2002. National Action Plan for Youth 2001–2010. Gaborone: Department of Culture and Youth, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs.

Republic of Botswana. 2010. Revised National Youth Policy. Gaborone: Department of Culture and Youth, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs

Revised National Youth Policy. 2010 (See Republic of Botswana 2010).

Seloilwe, E., Jack, A., Letshabo, K., Bainame, K., Veskov, D., Mokoto, M. Kobue, M. and R. Muzila.

Behavioural and prevention issues on HIV/AIDS at the University of Botswana. Pula:

Botswana Journal of African Studies, 15(2): 204–210.

Statistics Botswana. 2013. Botswana Core Welfare Survey 2009/10. Gaborone: Government Printer.

Thamuku, M. and Daniel, M. 2013. Exploring Responses to Transfi rmative Group Therapy for Orphaned Children in the Context of Mass Orphaning in Botswana. Death Studies, 37: 413–447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2012.654594

Tlou, T. and A. Campbell. 1997. History of Botswana. Gaborone: Macmillan Botswana Publishing

(Pty) Ltd.

UNDP. 2004. Human Development Report. New York: UNDP.

UNDP. 2010. Human Development Report. New York: UNDP.

UNDP. 2013. Human Development Report. New York: UNDP.

Youngman, F. 1998. “Botswana.†In African Adult Education Chronologies in Commonwealth Countries, edited by J. Draper, 26–32. Cape Town: Centre for Adult and Continuing Education in association with NIACE and SIDA.

Published

2016-09-28

How to Cite

Adekanmbi, Gbolagade, and Tapologo Maundeni. 2014. “BOTSWANA YOUTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RISKS: REFLECTIONS ON SOME INTERVENTION STRATEGIES”. Commonwealth Youth and Development 12 (2):18-34. https://doi.org/10.25159/1727-7140/1623.

Issue

Section

Articles