CYDT intervention increases stakeholders commitment to improve youth civic participation

Improved youth civic participation cannot happen without the coordinated effort of stakeholders like government bodies, non- governmental organizations, religious leaders, councillors, politicians and community-based organizations. These stakeholders have the mandate to develop and expand structures, spaces and strategies that enhances the involvement of young people in decision making platforms. As a result, Community Youth Development Trust has been conducting All Stakeholders Meetings in Beitbridge and Umzingwane.

These meetings gave young people an opportunity to remind stakeholders that nothing should be passed or executed on their behalf without first consulting them especially with policies and laws that have a direct effect on their active participation.

Youths also spoke against leaders who tend to manipulate young people to take part in violence to fulfill their own agendas especially during elections.

It was brought to the attention of stakeholders that young people lacked the support of local authorities which had increased youth political apathy.

“Some leaders use youth to fulfil their own political agendas instead of utilising youth potential to develop communities,” a youth said in one of the meetings in Beitbridge.

After listening to the concerns of the youths, the Ministry of Youth indicated that it was well on course to ensure that young people are well represented in all decision making platforms.  An official from the Ministry of Youth said its presence and participation in these meetings was evidence of its commitment to ensure that young people are well represented.

On a similar note, local authorities agreed that young people must be given opportunities to participate in political, economic and social spaces without any discrimination.

Other local leaders like traditional and religious showed that they had limited knowledge on the potential of youth in spearheading political and economic development in the project areas. Hence there was need for more engagement with them to make sure that they understand that young people have a critical role to play in civic processes.

All stakeholders agreed that there was need for young people to demand their rights in a civic manner. They said there was need for youth to be mature and understand they are communicating with elders when demanding to be heard in civic spaces.

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