Municipality of GWANDA YOUTH POLICY 2020

MUNICIPALITY OF GWANDA

YOUTH POLICY – 2020

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

Full Council Meeting No.307,  Item No. C5647© held on 29^th July 2020, resolved that that the Youth Policy  be adopted.

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TOWN CLERK                                                             MAYOR

PREAMBLE

In accordance with the National youth policy and the Zimbabwean Constitution, the Municipality of Gwanda Youth Policy is anchored on a series of essential principles and values which have influenced its creation and purpose. These principles and values lay the foundation on which the goals, objectives and strategies of the Policy have been formulated.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Youth –   Youths are defined as persons between 15 and 35 years of age. This age range is stipulated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and is also in line with the continental definition of youth as defined in the African Youth Charter.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

1.       The Youth Policy shall be consistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and major international conventions and agreements which Zimbabwe has subscribed to, in particular the rights and freedoms set forth in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2.       The Policy shall be an integral part of the overall development policies and programmes of the Municipality of Gwanda and hence should not be seen in isolation. In this regard, the Policy acknowledges the importance of other sectoral policies.

3.       The Municipality of Gwanda shall give the overall wellbeing of youths the highest priority within Gwanda Town.

4.       The policy acknowledges that education is a human right and an essential tool for achieving the goals of equality, development and peace. Equality of access to and attainment of educational qualification is necessary if more young people are to become agents of change.

5.       Advancing gender equality and equity is a fundamental prerequisite for youth development and hence constitutes the cornerstone for the Municipality of Gwanda Youth Policy.

6.       The Policy shall seek to promote unity and support for the family unit.

7.       The Policy recognizes the impact of religious and cultural beliefs.

8.       The Policy also recognizes important responsibilities which the youth should understand and fulfil including: to participate in the social, cultural and economic development of the country.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

The following are the key principles on which this Policy has been formulated: these are as provided for in the National Youth Policy;

1. Enhancement of Peace and National Unity: Promotion of peace, unity and support for the family unit.
2. Equity and Diversity: Recognition of the heterogeneity and diversity of the youth and the need to address their development needs through equitable policies, programmes and allocation of resources;
3. Cultural and spiritual diversity: Recognition of cultural and spiritual diversity as a basis for youth development and the important role tradition, spirituality and culture can play in the development of young men and women;
4. Gender equity and equality: Recognizing the special needs of both young men and young women in order to achieve a gender just society is a fundamental prerequisite for youth development and hence advancing gender equality and equity constitutes the cornerstone for this Youth Policy;
5. Youth-driven: Youth development services and programmes should be youth-driven and youth-centred;
6. Youth service: Youth should be given opportunity to serve their local communities whilst developing their own skills; this is essential to developing patriotism and a sense of civic duty.

 POLICY STRATEGIC AREAS

The policy as alluded to in our preamble is very much informed by the National Youth Policy and for that reason it has adopted the following strategic priority areas which reflect the multi-sectoral nature of youth development issues.

1.         Education and Skills Development

The Policy affirms that education and skills development are lifelong processes that are relevant to the holistic and integrated development of youth.

How we intend doing this:

• Assist our schools construct appropriate structures for practical subjects
• Assist them to purchase appropriate equipment for those offering these subjects
• Engage Joshua Nkomo Polytechnic College on the development of adult continuing education with emphasis on short term vocational courses.
• Capacitate and increase career guidance and counselling services;
• Strengthen civic education programmes for the youth.

• Youth Empowerment and Participation

Youth empowerment is the creation of an enabling environment for the youth to have the freedom to choose, to participate in and take decisions in matters affecting them and be ready to accept the consequences of their decisions. Empowerment enables the youth to be active participants in both the process and product of development. It has a democratizing impact. The Policy affirms the right of youth to involve and meaningfully and peacefully participate in national political, economic and social processes.

How we intend doing this:

• Promote the creation of a Youth Forum for all youths and youth organizations.
• Ensure meaningful youth participation during the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth programmes/ projects and council budget processes.
• Create a youth desk under the Community Services office.
• Engage the youth in community assistance programmes.

• Gender Equality and Equity

The policy seeks to recognise the special needs of both young men and young women in order to achieve a gender just society. This is fundamental for youth development cognisant of our patriarchal past and the drive to reform.

How we intend doing this:

• Capacitate our gender focal person for enhanced programming with the youth in mind.
•  Make a deliberate drive to create gender parity in our employment programmes.

• Health

The policy acknowledges the cross-cutting nature of this area and subsequently the important bearing this has on the wellbeing of the youth and their capacity to partake in education, skills development, poverty eradication and general participation in economic and social processes.

How we intend doing this:

• Establish and equip youth friendly corners at our clinics.
• Undertake outreach programmes targeted at the youth.
• Establish youth centres co-ordinated through the Community Services office.
• Develop and revamp recreational facilities across town. 
• Establishment of social support groups.
• Development of youth centres to enhance youth involvement.

• Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are pivotal to creating employment and driving society growth. Teaching children the skills to start, manage and operate their own businesses would be the first step in creating a more independent and driven generation of youth in Gwanda.

How we intend doing about it

• Workshops
• Look and learn visits

POLICY REVIEW CLAUSE

The Municipality of Gwanda Youth Policy shall be reviewed when necessary in order for it to remain relevant to changes in the situation and challenges of the youth and their related strategic priorities within Gwanda town.