- – this as teenage pregnancy surge in the district
The Okavango District Council, in partnership with the Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA), has launched a targeted 12- day family planning campaign following a worrying spike in local teenage pregnancies.
Running from September 1st to 12th, the reproductive health drive urges females aged 12 and above to visit local clinics to access a comprehensive range of contraceptive methods and family planning counselling.
The rapid government intervention comes just weeks after the district recorded 60 teenage pregnancies between April and June 2026. This surge has renewed national concerns over the high rate of unintended pregnancies among school-aged youth in the region.
While the campaign is open to all eligible females, healthcare workers are actively encouraging anyone who is not planning to conceive to utilize the free services.
Lesego Letshabamang, Principal Registered Midwife at Gumare Primary Hospital, urged women and young girls to prioritize their reproductive health during the mobilisation period.
“Those who are not planning to have a pregnancy should make use of this campaign,” Letshabamang stated.
She encouraged members of the public to visit health facilities where they can receive professional counseling on modern contraceptive options to make informed choices that fit their personal circumstances.
Access to family planning services empowers individuals to prevent unplanned pregnancies while allowing families to safely space out desired births.
BOFWA, the council’s primary partner in the initiative, provides a broad spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services. These include contraceptive distribution, HIV testing, counseling, and sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment.
The ongoing campaign also gives frontline medical workers an opportunity to debunk common myths and misconceptions surrounding contraceptives, which often deter young people from seeking clinical help.
Available contraceptive options during the drive include barrier methods, oral pills, injectables, hormonal implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), tailored to individual patient suitability.
The recent district figures have added a stark sense of urgency to local reproductive health advocacy. Recording 60 teenage pregnancies in just a three-month window highlights the gaps in accessible reproductive health information for remote communities.
However, health officials emphasize that family planning extends far beyond mitigating teenage pregnancies. It remains a vital tool for families to determine their household sizes and ensure optimal spacing between births for maternal and child health.
The 12-day drive provides a safe, supportive clinical environment for eligible females across the Okavango District to consult with qualified midwives and medical officers.
Members of the public are strongly urged to visit their nearest participating health center before September 12 to discuss their family planning and reproductive wellness needs with clinical staff.
