Meaningful Engagement and Participation of Youth in Health Programmes in Botswana: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of fostering meaningful engagement and active
participation of youth in health programmes within the context of Botswana. Recognising the
unique challenges and opportunities that the youth population faces, this study explored
strategies to empower and involve youth in shaping and benefiting from health initiatives. The
study adopted a descriptive research design; cluster sampling was used, and data were collected
from 180 participants. The paper emphasizes the development of youth-friendly health
services, ensuring accessibility, confidentiality, and effective communication. Education and
awareness campaigns are proposed to inform young people about available health resources
and to promote the use of various media platforms for maximum reach. Moreover, the
establishment of youth advisory boards is recommended to integrate the perspectives of youth
into decision-making processes related to health programme development and implementation.
Furthermore, the research encourages policy advocacy, urging the active involvement of youth
in shaping health policies that directly impact their well-being.