Reducing risk for young people

In the slums of Botswana's capital Gaborone, high unemployment mixed with alcohol and drug abuse help drive unsafe sex, reflected in shocking rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the most vulnerable, adolescent girls. Three out of 10 adolescents in Botswana live with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Half of all new sexually transmitted HIV infections are among teenagers. Adolescent girls have infection rates five-times higher than boys, and one out of every 10 births is to an adolescent girl. The Urban Youth Project launched at the weekend in the slum of Old Naledi aims to help youth change their behavior and lifestyles, to halt the spread of HIV, STDs and teenage pregnancy. It targets youth at risk like street children, sex workers, orphans and unemployed youth aged 10-24. The US $1.8 million project is funded through UNAIDS by the United Nations Foundation of CNN mogul Ted Turner. It is implemented by the Family Health Division of the Ministry of Health and lists a number of NGOs and community groups as partners. Young people from Old Naledi, Bontleng and Broaddhurst drive the project. During the start-up phase in 2001, a Youth Task Force acted as advisers and will continue to do so. "The community is the cornerstone and local young people are involved in meaningful ways at all levels," said project manager Magdeline Madibela. A team of local youth trained in research and data analysis have carried out project surveys. Three hundred will learn how to set up and run micro-businesses. Others will be trained as peer educators and as community-based health workers at youth-friendly health services the project will set up. Contact: [email protected]