National Youth Policy Passport to the Future

Basotho youth should adopt the national youth policy as a guideline on social and economic issues such as HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, unemployment and poverty as well as their participation in general elections as both voters and candidates.

Delivering the keynote speech at the annual general council of the Lesotho Young Christian Students (LYCS) association at Roma on December 12, the assistant Minister of Gender, Youth and Sports, Mr. Hlonepho Nts'ekhe said the policy also stipulates the need for the establishment of a national youth council to coordinate youth issues in the country. It can also be a guideline in preparing them to be strong future leaders.

Because they are at a sexually active age, youth are vulnerable and at a high risk of infection to the HIV virus, Mr. Nts'ekhe said, encouraging them to abstain from sex before marriage or else use condoms and remain faithful to one partner.

Challenging the youth to come up with new ideas to save the country from the problem of poverty, the assistant Minister said told the young Christian students that Lesotho is one of several least developed countries experiencing poverty, unemployment and hunger as a result of the drought.
12 December 2003