But because of the teenage pregnancy problem the percentage changes when we cross to university. We hope to change this imbalance. Through the support of government other donors, NGOs continue to run youth empowerment programmes such as the Peer Approach to Counseling by Teens, or PACT in short which has significantly reduced teenage pregnancy among schoolgirls in our major towns. Other programmes include a recently established youth-friendly clinic that provides counseling, information, teenage sexuality and reproductive health. The government of Botswana has also taken measures to curb youth unemployment through their engagement income generating activities, an initiative undertaken by the Botswana National Youth Council and Economic Empowerment NGOs.
Recent statistics reveal that gender gaps in access at all levels of education are closing.
Innovative strategies are necessary to deal with these challenges. Finally, the government of Botswana has recognised the importance of partnership in development, which in our case includes international organisations, as well as national NGOs and community based civil society groups. Through close cooperation with these partners we have been able to consider concerns for wider groups for of Botswana as we have demonstrated in our preparations for follow-up consultation to the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. This approach seeks to recognise the importance of articulating women's issues and needs and taking aboard their full contribution in socio-economic, political and cultural development. As a result, we have clearly demonstrated the benefit of representative collaboration with all partners in the area of gender with specific reference to women's empowerment programmes.