19/08/2026
Youth Policy FOR Young People, WITH Young People
Young people must not only be consulted about policies that shape their future we must be actively involved in shaping and strengthening them.
Over the past two days, the Yet Trust, NANGO Zimbabwe, NAYO and WELEAD Africa convened a Writeshop on the Zimbabwe Youth Bill, bringing together young people, Parliamentarians, government representatives, legal experts and civil society to critically engage with the draft Model Zimbabwe Youth Bill.
One of our YEI members also actively participated in this important process, contributing to the discussions and ensuring that youth perspectives were represented in shaping the Bill.
The discussions provided an important space to examine key areas that directly affect young people, including:
πΉ Governance & Access β Strengthening the mandate and effectiveness of the Zimbabwe Youth Council.
πΉ Economic Empowerment β Exploring ways to strengthen the Youth Empowerment and Development Fund.
πΉ Youth Service β Shaping an inclusive and meaningful framework for Youth Service Zimbabwe.
πΉ Equity & Inclusion β Ensuring that young women, young people with disabilities and other marginalized youth are meaningfully included.
For YEI, meaningful youth participation means moving beyond simply giving young people a seat at the table. It means ensuring that their voices influence decisions, policies and laws that affect their lives.
A strong Youth Bill should be inclusive, responsive and accountable and should create opportunities for every young Zimbabwean, regardless of gender, disability or location.
The future is not something we simply wait for. It is something we build, shape and legislate for today.
Letβs continue advocating for the enactment of the Zimbabwe Youth Bill and a future where young people are not just beneficiaries of policy, but active co-creators of it.