Since early 2026, CYDT has been conducting a series of Young Women Voices Forums held in Gwanda and Plumtree in which young people engaged Councillors, government representatives, and local leaders to speak plainly about what they face in their communities.
What came out of those conversations were service delivery gaps that needed urgent attention from duty bearers.
In Nkashe, one of the issues raised was a broken bridge that had made movement difficult during the rainy period. Young women explained how situations like this affect more than just travel. When roads are damaged or cut off, reaching a clinic on time becomes uncertain, even when transport is available. As one young woman shared during the discussions, getting help can depend on whether the road allows it, not just how urgent the situation is.
In Ward 3 in Plumtree and surrounding areas in Gwanda, the concern was water. Some boreholes were reported to be non-functional, pushing women and girls to walk longer distances to fetch water from dams and other sources. These journeys take time and energy, and they also come with safety concerns. Participants spoke about leaving home early or returning late, often feeling exposed along the way.
These are the kinds of issues that do not always appear urgent at district or provincial levels, but at community level, they shape daily life, especially that of young women.
While policies exist to guide service delivery, young women described how these policies do not always respond to smaller, local challenges such as damaged infrastructure or isolated communities.
The forums also created space to talk about opportunities. Young women, especially those living with disabilities, spoke about the difficulty of accessing vocational training. Some centres are located far from where they live, while others are not designed in a way that allows everyone to participate. As one participant put it during the discussions, “opportunities may exist, but reaching them is another challenge altogether.”
Access to financial support was another concern raised, with some young women explaining that requirements and processes make it difficult for them to benefit from available programmes.
What made these engagements important was not only what was said, but who was listening. Representatives from local authorities and government institutions acknowledged the concerns raised. There were commitments to improve access to emergency health services, to look into the repair and development of water points, and to explore inclusive ways of delivering training and financial support.
Young women also did not leave the responsibility to leaders alone. They suggested steps to keep the process moving. These included forming water committees to monitor boreholes, and preparing written submissions to ensure that the issues raised are formally recorded and followed up.
At the same time, there has been growing attention on improving access to health services in Gwanda. The development of Hlalani Kuhle Clinic comes at a time when concerns around distance, access, and timely care continue to be raised by young women and community members. While it stands as its own development, it connects with CYDT`s call for services that are closer and easier to reach.
The forums demonstrated that young women are now positioned and willing to continue demanding improved service delivery within their communities. This reflects a growing sense of ownership and continuity beyond the lifespan of the current intervention, with community voices remaining active in holding duty bearers accountable.
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