Botswana’s First Lady, Kaone Boko, has renewed her commitment to advancing women’s and adolescents’ health following a courtesy visit by UNFPA Regional Director Lydia Zigomo.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed joint initiatives to strengthen reproductive and maternal health services, particularly in areas affecting young girls and women. The discussions centered on child marriage prevention, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and access to quality maternal healthcare across Botswana.
“In our shared quest to improve reproductive and maternal health, we explored areas of collaboration between my office and UNFPA,” said First Lady Boko. “This partnership will go a long way in augmenting our ongoing efforts to ensure every woman and girl has access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to thrive.”
Ms. Zigomo commended Botswana’s continued leadership in championing gender equality and women’s empowerment, reaffirming UNFPA’s commitment to supporting national priorities aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 5 focused on health and gender equality.
The meeting underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing persistent challenges such as early pregnancies, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and gender-based violence.
Through this strengthened partnership, the Office of the First Lady and UNFPA aim to scale up community awareness, advocacy, and policy interventions that empower women and adolescents to make informed health choices, reduce preventable maternal deaths, and end harmful practices like child marriage.
The First Lady reaffirmed her dedication to working with national and international partners to create a future where every girl grows up healthy, educated, and empowered.
About the Author
