The Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) has embarked on a constitutional sensatisation program using a moving caravan in Bulilima, Beitbridge and other districts.
The three day campaign runs from the 16th to the 17th of September.
Decent crowds have so far gathered around the caravan listening and sharing their own views regarding the constitution.
Marginalised groups such as youths, children and people living with disabilities who live in rural areas where constitutional literacy is limited have so far participated in the ongoing campaign.
At this stage, CYDT has observed that the lack of knowledge and constitutional literacy of young people in the province is still critical.
Many of them are still living and being guided by repressive cultural and traditional beliefs instead of the constitution that guarantees their dignity and liberty.
Some traditional leaders still use these norms that go against section 80 of the Constitution that gives young women certain rights. Young females are still being married at an early age thus being denied their right to education while women’s interests in politics is still low as they still assume political domains are for their male counterparts when actual there is a constitution provision that provides equal representation.
A female youth from Mzingwane Miss Thandiwe Mlotshwa who participated in the campaign acknowledged that it was imperative that as a woman who is faced with different challenges understand the constitution.
“As women knowing the constitution protects you from different kinds of abuses,” said Miss Mlotshwa.
Another female youth from Mzingwane Miss Sithokozile Ncube lauded CYDT for embarking on a critical program that seeks to raise constitutional awareness in the province.
“We appreciate this awareness campaign because it enlighten us on our rights, we only get to learn the constitution at school, this really makes us understand things better,” said Miss Ncube.
A male youth from Bulilima named Mr Mgcini Moyo challenged his peers to take part in such programs that enlighten them about their constitutional rights.
“I will be straight with you gents, let us not spend time roaming around doing nothing instead of focusing on making our lives better. These programs make us understand our rights especially when you find yourself being detained without reason. When you know your rights, you will understand that you have a right for legal representation before speaking with the state security agents,” said Mr Moyo.
CYDT seeks to broaden marginalised groups` understanding of the constitution; make them know that it is through a constitution that the power of the government is properly limited to create a democratic public sphere; a critical space where the public can comprehensively enjoy their rights with dignity.
On Friday, which is the last day of the campaign, the Constitution Moving Caravan Campaign will be in Beitbridge
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