First Lady Neo Masisi has pledged to continue helping young girls and women achieve their dreams and aspirations, and to meaningfully contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. Speaking at a gala dinner hosted in her honour as the UNAIDS champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women in Gaborone on Tuesday, Ms Masisi expressed gratitude to UNAIDS for the recognition and confidence placed on her. She said she considered the recognition as an urgent trusteeship mission, for her and other trustees, with limited time to achieve the given set of objectives especially that of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030. She pledged to help adolescent girls to develop into responsible adults. Ms Masisi noted that young people faced a myriad of social ills, adversities and challenges ranging from inter-generational sex, teenage pregnancy, transactional sex, unemployment, mental health challenges, alcohol and substance use, suicide, gender based violence, crime and road accidents. She added that she would rise to the challenge and fight a good fight. She said she had traversed the whole country engaging young people on issues that affected them and to deliberate on solutions that would enhance their health, social and economic well-being. She also noted that she had engaged traditional leaders spouses, community leaders and other stakeholders from different parts of the country on issues affecting adolescent girls and young women. She said the empowerment and engagement of girls and young women needed a multi-sectoral approach which all stakeholders needed to embrace for impactful results. She said the boy-child should also not be left behind and should be empowered to build their character to desirable behaviours. The First Lady also urged government to review and increase investments and funds to the youth in order to create an enabling environment. Ms Masisi appreciated President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi for allowing her space to thrive and providing a conducive environment to do her work which had earned her and the country recognition. She also hailed her daughter for allowing her to mother other adolescent children for the benefit the nation, the region and the world. Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said the appointment was a positive feedback and vote of confidence on the First Lady�s performance in the previous role of special ambassador for young people in Botswana. He said she executed the mandate diligently noting that she called for a consultancy to develop a framework for meaningful engagement of young people in Botswana with the aim of ensuring their participation in decision making structures. He said her efforts resulted in the establishment of a youth engagement forum which advised and guided on policy issues relating to young people. UNAIDS country director, Mr Alankar Malviya also praised Ms Masisi for her commitment, passion and work on the global AIDS response and helping Botswana to reach epidemic control. Mr Malviya said Ms Masisi's appointment as UNAIDS champion was not only for Botswana but for the region and the world, adding that she was the only champion from East and Southern African countries.