The Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative (BSRHI), a project under the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership (BHP), has intensified its public outreach efforts through a series of dynamic community engagements and strategic stakeholder dialogues aimed at improving awareness and advocacy around sexual and reproductive health (SRH), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, and HIV prevention.
On Wednesday, 21 May 2025, BSRHI team members Shelby Chakona, Research Nurse, and Dr. Tlamelo Setshwaelo, Clinical Project Manager, appeared on the University of Botswana radio health programme. During the engaging one-hour broadcast, they discussed STIs, contraceptive options, and pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, fielding questions from the public and providing accurate, youth-friendly health information.
In a continued effort to reach adolescents, BSRHI facilitated an interactive talk at Gaborone Senior Secondary School on Monday, 2 June 2025, led by Bame Bame, Nurse Coordinator, and Shelby Chakona. The session focused on SRH and STI awareness, aiming to empower students with the knowledge and tools to make informed health decisions.
On Tuesday, 3 June 2025, BSRHI participated in the Ministry of Health’s Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Technical Working Group meeting, where team members presented updates on ongoing and future research. Representing BSRHI and BHP were Dr. Chelsea Morroni, Principal Investigator, Dr. Aamirah Mussa, Project Manager, Dr. Tlamelo Setshwaelo, Clinical Project Manager, and Ernest Moseki, Community and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator. Drs. Mussa and Setshwaelo presented findings from the PrEP Choice study and introduced the upcoming STEP-UP study. Ernest Moseki underscored the importance of community involvement in research, highlighting the vital role of Community Advisory Boards in guiding ethical and responsive studies.
The momentum continued on Saturday, 5 July 2025, when BSRHI, in collaboration with the German Embassy in Botswana and local Non Govermental Organisation, Mebala Youth Studios, hosted the Youth Leadership Symposium at Mebala Youth Studios, located at the Lady Masire Youth Centre in Gaborone West. The vibrant symposium brought together youth networks from across the community to connect, share ideas, and develop leadership skills through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and engaging presentations.
The event was honoured by the presence of His Excellency Olivier Brochenin, French Ambassador to Botswana, who delivered an inspiring address. He urged the youth to rise to the challenge of addressing global issues, reminding them that while older generations have played their part, it is now the youth’s turn to lead change and craft solutions for the future.
Through these activities, BSRHI continues to amplify its commitment to advancing youth engagement, health education, and community-driven solutions in the SRH space.
