“Nurturing young women to become leaders and champions of HIV and SRHR”.

Meeting the Candidates: SAfAIDS Young Women Leadership (YWL) Programme


By Tafadzwa Thelma Madondo (SAfAIDS Progamme Officer and Coordinator of YWL Programme)

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the SAfAIDS Young Women First (YWF!) Programme, it is important to emphasise that, this past year the programme has witnessed greater achievements in mobilizing young people whilst contributing to the visible change in their lives as they are taking charge of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Through the YWF! email, facebook and webpage, the voices of young women and girls as both beneficiaries and owners of the programme are being amplified by providing them with safe spaces and capacities to participate fully in SRHR debates and advocacy campaigns.

Upon realization that there is need to identify young champions to push the SRHR agenda forward and make YWF! programme more effective in creating a platform for young women and girls to take the lead in SRHR advocacy, SAfAIDS has embarked on 2 year Young Women Leadership (YWL) training programme with 9 young women and girls between the ages of 18-24years. This programme seeks to groom and nurture the young women and girls from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to become champions and leaders in SRHR, HIV, LGBTI and GBV. The candidates have already been identified and they consist of vibrant, intelligent and motivated young women, each with unique backgrounds. The programme has a 3 tier training approach consisting of 2 exhilarating and informative training modules followed by a practical skills building module, to transform the young women into effective champions and advocates for SRHR awareness raising in their respective communities and countries. The first inspirational training was held from the 27^th of February – 2 March 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. SAfAIDS would like to invite you to meet the YWL candidates below as they state their visions in life and embark on this leadership journey.

Bolivia Jeremiah (23)

My vision is to see my nation, and the world becoming a valued based society (with respect, integrity, social justice, compassionate and authenticity), well integrated with issues of SRH, gender based violence and HIV.

Beatrice Savadye (24)

My vision is to see empowered young women with greater control over their SRHR through creation of sustainable livelihoods and opportunities.

Charmaine Picardo (21)

I want to empower young people, especially young women in SRHR through the performing and media arts, and in the long run help them become economically stable through the arts as well.

Clarisa Regede (21)

My vision is to work with young mothers under the age of 23years .Having noticed the way these young women have been marginalised in society and deemed the rotten or spoilt eggs for having entered maternal responsibility at a "young" age. I think other young women and society can learn from these brave young mothers’ experiences.

Florence Khaxas (23)

I envision a society in which young women are leaders, and enjoy respect, free to explore and express their sexuality and choice, in an environment that they are not discriminated.

Gwen Chimuti (24)

I want to leave a legacy of young people that are well informed of their rights especially those relating to SRHR. I would also like to raise awareness on the African Youth Charter amongst the youth in Africa, for them to understand their rights as stated in the Charter.

Janet Bhila (22)

I want to help young women especially adolescents to gain knowledge of their SRHR through psycho social support and also to support and mentor them throughout their lives.

Kristofina Lawana (20)

My vision is “food for power”.  I want to use my passion for gardening to support young women between the ages of 15-24years especially those living with HIV to be able to support themselves through generating gardening projects.

Opelo Modiakgotla (23)

I want to reach young women in rural communities to enhance their knowledge on sexuality and SRHR issues. I want to instill in them, awareness and sense of belonging for them to be in control of their sexuality without feeling embarrassed about it.

Tatenda Munetsi (24)

I want to continually develop women’s potential through training, consulting, inspiring, empowering, reaching and nurturing today’s woman for tomorrow.

SAfAIDS will support the candidates to translate their visions and aspirations in to reality. They will have an opportunity to learn from personal coaches and mentors from recognized SRHR and women’s organizations. Upon completion for the 3 tier module training the young women candidates will then go back to their communities and conduct advocacy SRHR related activities based on work plans developed in the course of the training. The activities will include community dialogues, youth campaigns and participation in SRHR platforms and debates. This will allow them to expose their leadership qualities and knowledge gained through the training. At the end of this programme SAfAIDS anticipates that the candidates will be well-positioned leaders and champions recognized in their respective countries and beyond.