There are variances on how the society define a youth. The variances are based on the socio-economic implementations of the environment. According to section 20 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, youth is someone aged between 15 to 35 years. The United Nations defines a youth as someone between the ages of 15 and 24.
Despite having various pro-youth empowerment, there are challenges being faced by youths and these are polarization. The society has been disadvantaged by politics. One has to belong to a certain group or have allegiance to a certain association or political party. This is militating in the advancement of youth agenda. Because the national constitution says there must be equality regardless of gender, race, class and ethnicity. The African youth charter says that the product of a policy must be out of consultation. However, those who participate and contribute on national platforms are the ones that are recognized whilst those who does not have connections to any of the mentioned groups are excluded. This clearly shows that the voices of the youth are suppressed and this can be supported by the Marxist theory which states that he who owns the means of material production owns the means of mental production.
In a WhatsApp discussion, a Social and Economic Justice Ambassador , uttered that “young people have been made vulnerable because of unemployment”. After having finished school, there is no sustainability because there is economic meltdown. Industries are closed and this has led young people to abuse drugs and child marriages. Youths are in the verge of fighting life and death because the situation in the country is not favourable.
According to the Legal Practitioner, he alluded that the way the provisions were coined, the government is trying to bring a multi-sectorial approach in dealing with youth issues. They are trying to highlight most of the challenges being faced by the youths in Zimbabwe. Bring it to reality, there are so many limitations because youths are abusing drugs and roaming around the streets without doing any activity. The youths constitute 67.7percent of the population but in terms of implementation, the incompetence government is failing to create jobs for youths.
The ptactitioner further said our policies should inform us about sub-national structures that operate on local level. Everyone should be involved whereby there should a board of members that direction the disseminating of information. These are ways of safeguarding the contribution of youth. The government and stakeholders should also ensure that youths are aware of their rights and how to exercise them.
In a comment, some youths despite the fact of them having the tools, we are ignorant. We urge ourselves in a zone of saying “there are some who can do that and not me”. That mind is a cause of concern. Let us all be involved and participate in the activities of the communities we stay in.
At this juncture, as MAYA, we advocate for youth empowerment. The voices of the marginalized groups should be recognized.