Botswana: Kgalalelo Gambule BOCAIP

After identifying teenage pregnancy as an area of great concern within the Okavango District, Ms Gambule working for BOCAIP Gumare, implemented a behaviour change programme to address this. The objectives of the programme are to promote behavioural change and practices for prevention of new infections and to contribute in reduction of teenage pregnancy cases from 178 to 142 by 31st March 2020.

The activities engaged in included conversations at the Kgotla on Teenage pregnancy targeting the general population; girls talk session targeting girls at Shakawe senior school; Stakeholders briefing session where stakeholders pledged to address men at their work place on teenage pregnancy and defilement; Teenage pregnancy conversations in Xakao village targeting men; Teenage pregnancy School  based campaigns where Smart Girls Campaign was launched and a commitment to have no girl dropouts was made; 1 Billion rise Campaign, reaching out to the general population with Gender Based Message.

With a budget of P108, 450.00 they were able to directly reach a total of 464 people, 81% of which were women.

BOCAIP Gumare has a monthly, quarterly, annual, reporting tool. They have client interviews and success stories from employees which are documented, further, they have mid-term review meetings as well as performance-based meetings.

Ms Gambule reported that as a result of their activities, youth had become empowered with messages on teenage pregnancy; 1 youth has been trained in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR); furthermore 1 youth club has been formed in Shakawe; and a men’s sector team was formed in Xakao. When explaining the challenges faced, Ms Gambule said there were issues of financing. She had to involve the community for sustainability and continuity as well as train them on Community Conversations. Of note is that a resource mobilization plan is important for project sustainability.

Ms Gambule explained that CCE facilitators would be trained in Xakao to conduct community conversation and help in implementation of the community action plan.