Africa-Press – Lesotho. Youth in remote settings had arguably found themselves marginalised and at the receiving end of more services than their counterparts who live in urban places.
The Mokhotlong millennials had laid bare the challenges bedevilling them. A number of problems confront the youth in Mapholaneng at that district. This is according to the youth of that
district, Ekabang Leseba. She said their challenges are those concerning early childhood marriages, early and unintended pregnancies, Gender Based Violence (GBV) especially
to youth and women and the HIV/AIDS prevalence. The 24 years old mentioned that these challenges hinder their learning as it is not viable for them to carry on with their studies when
afflicted by some of these social ills and challenges. She urged the government to be responsive and accommodating towards their challenges. “I appeal to the government to review the policies and laws
that are envisaged to protect girls and women against early childhood marriages and to extend the education to all within the country,” she pleaded. She cited
the “delay” in the pending Domestic Violence Bill which they are eager for its implementation. Leseba took stock of the Child Protection and Welfare Act which is
“amended” to pass in order to protect youth against early childhood marriages. The Mapholaneng based youth also appealed to the Ministry of Health
(MoH) and its partners like Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA) to extend
parenthood and sex youth friendly services to their satisfaction. She went on to say that HIV services, family planning and Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)
should be easily accessible to them. “It is our responsibility to preserve and to take care of our lives and yours is to support us,” he said. Leseba further charged: “if all could resume their responsibilities,
we will overcome the challenges that are facing the country”. She pointed that job creation could contribute to the economic growth adding that youth would
not pursue intergenerational relationships in search of “better opportunities”. Addressing her counterparts, she pleaded with them to preserve their lives by desisting from engaging in an unprotected sexual intercourse.
“There is evidence that if we use condoms and other contraceptives they can protect us
from HIV and unintended pregnancies,” she said also urging them to go for such services. Leseba cautioned youth against “temporary pleasures” during the festive
period highlighting that the former could bring long lasting undesired consequences upon them. She however thanked the government for introducing the Life Skills Based Sexuality Education (LSBSE) as part of their curriculum,
adding that it has empowered them with knowledge which comes handy to overcome challenges facing them. Concluding her remarks she pleaded for concerted efforts which she argued could bring results.
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