In Botswana, many girls and young women find themselves abandoned during pregnancy and after birth by their partners, left to raise their children alone. Due to poverty, young people find themselves in abusive relationships, dating sugar daddies where they have no say on issues about sexual intercourse. This has therefore put their lives at risk of contracting STIs, HIV, and even unwanted pregnancies.
This is why the Young Mothers Network saw it fit to respond to government’s request to all who wanted to make submissions on the review of the country’s Constitution. According to Thatayaone Makabanyane, Inspired Horizons Association (IHA) health and advocacy officer, they felt it was critical to identify relevant constitutional clauses that could be changed, as well as the governance implications. She said they believed in protecting people’s rights and maintenance of the balance of power.
Makabanyane further explained that IHA was formed after they realised that adolescent girls’ and young women’s voices were silent and they had less representation in leadership even though they faced some challenges such as social exclusion, economic challenges and sexual violence. She said many local young mothers, especially those in marginalised rural areas, were not prioritised.
“Our objectives include gathering relevant information and stories from young mothers about their lived experiences to inform age-tailored, genders responsive policies and youth-friendly services. We also aim to co-create safe spaces for meaningful participation by Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), in national development agenda settings and advocacy through strengthened referral and multi-sectoral linkages,” she pointed out.She added that they intended to promote social and behavioural change communication addressing cultural and gender norms including gender-based violence, intergenerational and transactional sex and other risky behaviours. Young Mothers Support Programme supports expectant or young mothers who are AGYW between 15 and 25 years. Inspired Horizons partnered with different stakeholders to help these young mothers and their children.
“We made our submissions because the Young Mothers programme felt that it was a great opportunity because when their voices are out there, they would be seen and heard. They sat down and reviewed the Constitution of Botswana and made a few submissions,” she said.
Ludo Matombo, from Young Mothers Support Network, said they made discussions with fellow young mothers on their WhatsApp group while others made physical consultations on what they felt should be included in the constitution.
She said they made five submissions as follows; the inclusion of the right to identity where the main reason behind that calling was “subject to the child’s best interests, every child has a right to know and be cared for by both of his or her biological parents”.
“The section speaks to the necessity of ensuring that the child knows the identity of biological parents as one’s parental background is inherently factored into a child’s sense of identity. Inclusion of the right to identity, the right to nationality at birth, as well as the right to family care or parental care; ensuring and enforcing the law of paternity DNA tests at birth,” she said.
She pointed out that they called on the protection of the right to quality life which was calling on the protection of the quality of life reinforcing that both parents were part of the child’s life and were contributing to the maintenance equally. The other recommendation was the inclusion of the right to social security/social protection where they called for the development of a constitutionally mandated legal framework and or legal approach towards social protection instead of policies.
Young Mothers Network also suggested that the Constitution should include inclusion and protection of abortion rights where they said legalising abortion would promote pro-choice and/or termination of pregnancy under the following terms or circumstances; where the mother is not economically or mentally fit to raise a child. They also called for the inclusion of the right health development of a clear provision of health to ensure the right of citizens to medical and psychosocial support.
However, she said three of those submissions were approved. Matombo further added that the above key observations made by Young Mothers Support Network demonstrated the need for government intervention to create gender equality, particularly in the best interests of the child. She added that she believed that young mothers’ voices matter and that the rights that affect them must be included in Botswana’s Constitution. Speaking of the challenges she faces as a young mother, 23-year-old Gorata Koketso said having a baby at a young age was not easy. She explained that her boyfriend disappeared into thin air after she told him she was pregnant. She was studying at Gaborone University College (GUC) of Law and Professional Studies at the time.
“Even now I do not know where my child’s father is. Being a student and single mother was hard. At times I thought of leaving school because I was going through a lot, but fortunately I have a loving mother and best friend who are my pillars of strength,” she said.
She added that even though she had immense support from them, she sometimes failed to cope with her pregnancy or being a young parent. One day she saw a post of a young mother who shared her experience and challenges as a young mother and could relate. She said through that post she got to know about Young Mothers Support Network established by Inspired Horizon Association, got their contacts, and joined. She also explained that the association helped her a lot. Through the network, they shared a lot of experiences and encouraged each other to love and care for themselves and their children.
