Miss Universe 1999 and UNFPA goodwill Ambassador Mpule Kwelagobe speaks to Botswana teens on issues of HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health

The African Youth Alliance (AYA) Botswana is a project under the auspices of the African Youth Alliance Programme directed at youth within four African countries: Botswana, Ghana, The United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda. AYA was launched in 2000 and is a five-year initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the United States Committee for UNFPA.

The Alliance is a partnership between UNFPA, PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health) and Pathfinder International. Its purpose is to contribute to improved adolescent knowledge, attitudes, values and behaviour on matters related to sexual and reproductive health issues, including HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as to increase the use of sexual and reproductive health information and services. The project is committed to involving Botswana youth at all levels of project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Mission

The AYA project aims to contribute towards improvement of the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) status among youth in its project areas by providing a comprehensive program of information, skills, counselling and services within a facilitating environment to adopt a responsible SRH behaviour.

AYA's intervention is justified given the following profile of the nation:

• 60% of Batswana are below the age of 45
• 47% of Batswana live below poverty line
• HIV prevalence among women below the age of 30 is high (2000):
  - 15-19 years 27%
  - 20-24 years 43%
  - 25-29 years 52%
• Adolescent contraceptive use is 20%
• Teenage pregnancy rate is 30%

Consequently, AYA's benficiaries are as follows:

1. Primary beneficiaries: young people aged 10-29, with an emphasis on
   adolescents aged 10-19
2. Secondary beneficiaries (key intermediaries): health providers, teachers, youth workers, counsellors, parents and local organisations
3. Tertiary beneficiaries (for creating a supportive environment): community and religious leaders, media workers, politicians and policy makers

Youth participation is of extreme importance to the African Youth Alliance

The African Youth Alliance embraces the following strategies in its services:

1. Policy and advocacy (UNFPA) to create an enabling environment.
2. Behaviour Change Communication (PATH) to contribute to positive behaviour change.
3. Provision of youth friendly services (Pathfinder International) to provide youth-friendly services to most youths.
4. Capacity building (All partners) to build institutional capacity for Implementing Partners.
5. Life and livelihood skills development (PATH) to improve life and livelihood skills including income generation activities.
6. Coordination and dissemination (UNFPA) to document best practices and project coordination at all levels.

The Implementing Partners

AYA Botswana will tap into the already existing knowledge, skills and expertise among their identified key Implementing Partners which include Botswana National Youth Centre (BNYC), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Ministry of Local Government, Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA), Young Women's Christian Organisation (YWCA), Junior Achievement Botswana, Population Services International, Women Against Rape (WAR), Ghetto Artists and Botswana National Sports Council.

The Alliance Partners

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Botswana

Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)

PATH is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving health, especially the health of women and children. PATH has been a leader in reproductive health technical assistance in family planning, prevention of STIs/AIDS, safe delivery, maternal health and nutrition, safe abortion, post-abortion care and eradication of female genital mutilation. PATH is a pioneer in the area of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) interventions and is a leader in participatory social mobilisation and advocacy initiatives at both national and local level.

Pathfinder International

For over 40 years Pathfinder international has been a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women and families throughout the developing world by building local capacity to provide and sustain high-quality family planning and reproductive health services. It improves access to and use of quality reproductive health information and services including STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention, post-partum and post-abortion care with a focus on youth.

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