The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs (MYGA), in collaboration with SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), hosted a Training of Trainers workshop on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) yesterday. The session brought together youth representatives from several organisations working in the areas of youth development, HIV prevention, and gender-based violence.
The workshop, facilitated by MYGA Programmes Officer Ms. Goitsemodimo Ditsele, aimed to equip participants with standardised and accurate knowledge on CSE. The training focused on enabling participants to deliver factual, age-appropriate information about sexuality, health, and rights within their respective organisations and communities.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education is a curriculum-based approach that covers the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality. It is considered comprehensive when it addresses a full range of topics related to human sexuality, gender, and rights, including those that are often viewed as sensitive. CSE helps young people understand relationships, respect diversity, and make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Ms. Ditsele explained that the CSE programme was first introduced in Botswana in 2013 through support from UNFPA. Initially, the programme focused on training school teachers to deliver lessons to learners in classrooms. Over time, it expanded to include out-of-school youth to ensure that every young person has access to critical information, regardless of their education status. The current phase of the programme is set to conclude at the end of this month.
The CSE curriculum covers key thematic areas such as sexual and reproductive health, human rights and responsibilities, decision-making skills, education, and mental health. It also promotes life skills that empower young people to prevent HIV infection, avoid early and unintended pregnancies, and access contraception responsibly.
According to Ms. Ditsele, the programme has already shown measurable impact. She noted that it has significantly improved young people’s knowledge of HIV prevention and contributed to a reduction in early pregnancies and unmet needs for contraception across the country. These outcomes support Botswana’s broader efforts to reduce youth vulnerability and promote gender equality.
CSE is currently implemented across three key ministries: the Ministry of Basic Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs. This inter-ministerial collaboration ensures consistency in the delivery of information and supports a coordinated national strategy for youth development and reproductive health education.
The training was attended by youth representatives from several organisations, including the Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) and Mosepele Youth Network Support Organization. These organisations play an important role in addressing issues of HIV, sexual health, and gender-based violence among young people in Botswana.
By hosting the Training of Trainers workshop, MYGA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to empowering youth with the tools and knowledge they need to lead healthy, informed, and responsible lives. The initiative continues to serve as a foundation for advancing sexual and reproductive health rights, promoting equality, and building a generation that values respect, responsibility, and informed choice.
