The Genesis of Advocacy: Lynette’s Journey from Learner to Health Advocate
A Facebook-sponsored post about contraceptives led Lynette to visit the Youthwyze outreach, initially seeking sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. She got a 5 year implant so that she can complete her studies without getting pregnant. However, after receiving comprehensive sexuality education from Youthwyze facilitators and the contraceptive, she became intrigued and eager to join the program.
She began attending outreaches, not just for the services, but to listen and learn from other facilitators. Soon after, she was invited to undergo training, marking the start of her journey as a facilitator. Drawing on her background as a public health student at a tertiary institution, Lynette enhanced her presentations as a health facilitator. She has since dedicated herself to encouraging young people to take responsibility for their health by adopting preventive measures against unwanted pregnancies and reducing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Lynette became an advocate and always encouraged her friends to access SRH services at school and she recruited some of her friends to get contraceptives and get tested for HIV. She completed her studies and she continued volunteering at SAT Botswana as a health facilitator and also doing community education. SAT also invited her to decision making platforms like the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Technical Working Group to share the experiences of young girls in the community. Furthermore, SAT gave her more opportunities to educate young girls on Radio Shows under the Youthwyze Programme.
Recently, Lynette was employed as a lecture support at the Health and Science Department at Gaborone University College of law and Professional Studies, and she continuously invites SAT Botswana’s Youthwyze outreach team to provide services at college events.
With support from The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), as well as, supportive partners BOFWA and UNFPA Botswana, Lynette completed her studies without getting pregnant and the workshops and training in advocacy work have not only boosted her morale but moulded her voice to be able to convey the health message to make meaningful change in her community such as destigmatising contraceptives related issues, today more people in her community are accessing SRH services, even at her workplace.
“The destigmatisation of Sexual related Health Issues is the necessary breakthrough for early detection and treatment of diseases.” says Lynette.