Author: Raymond Mazhambe

In Zimbabwe, youth under the age of 35 constitute approximately 67.7% of the total population (ZIMSTAT, 2022)[1]. Despite representing a demographic majority, young people continue to face systemic barriers to meaningful participation in places, spaces, and processes that influence decisions about their health and development particularly in critical areas such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Places such as some health facilities often lack youth-friendly services, contributing to limited access and poor uptake of SRHR services (UNICEF, 2023). Some spaces and processes for youth engagement in local decision-making platforms e.g. such as some policy engagements, and other local dialogues remain largely tokenistic, with insufficient integration of diverse youth voices, especially from rural and marginalized communities. According to the Youth and Adolescents strategy (2023-2026)[2], the country has reported low level of young people’s participation in development processes, with only 3.3 per cent of adolescents and youth participating in matters affecting their lives. Majority of adolescents and youth are excluded from participating in decision-making processes and where engagement occurs it is mostly once off or tokenism.

The significance of this disconnect becomes evident when one looks at the alarming statistics surrounding unintended pregnancies and new HIV infections among young people. These challenges bedevilling the youth constituency are not merely abstract numbers; they represent real lives affected by policies and programs that often overlook the voices of the very same group of people they aim to serve.

The need for youth-led and youth-targeted SRH programs is crucial and cannot be overstated. Young people occupy a unique position as both beneficiaries and agents of change in comprehensive SRHR initiatives. The involvement of youth is crucial in challenging the stigma surrounding sexual reproductive health and in the advocacy for SRHR and services that are tailor made to their specific needs. Traditional interventions have often missed the mark due to a lack of understanding of the youth’s lived realities and aspirations. By prioritizing youth leadership and meaningful youth led SRH programmes and interventions, we can create programs that are grounded in the needs of young people in line with the mantra, “Nothing for the Youth without the Youth”. Let’s change the narrative and break the silence and ensure youth are the frontrunners for their own health and well-being.

According to a recent article titled, “Meaningful youth engagement in sexual and reproductive health and rights decision making“, published in The Lancet Global Health (2023)[3],the active participation of youth in all stages of decision-making, from research and design to implementation and evaluation is essential. This means that youth should not just be invited to the table as part of window dressing but genuinely engaged as equal partners in integrating their perspectives and insights into every aspect of the SRHR programs that concern them. It is important to note that the youth demographic’s size and significance, is critical in meaningful engagement and should be prioritised as a prerequisite for effective SRH interventions.

It is important to note that when we invest in young people, the transformative potential of SRHR programs is unleashed and realised. It is imperative that we break the silence surrounding the exclusion of youth in SRH programming in Zimbabwe. Policymakers, NGOs, and stakeholders in the health sector must actively seek to include youth voices in decision-making processes and ensure that spaces, places and processes welcome the participation of young people to express their needs and advocate for their SRHR rights.

It is also significant for youth actors to work together and dismantle the barriers that hinder youth engagement and break- away from working in silos. Collaboration is key and the need to invest in capacity-building opportunities, providing funding for youth-led initiatives, and ensuring that young people are present in discussions at all levels—from community meetings to national level platforms. Important to note are some key standards critical for adoption drawn from SAT Meaningful Youth Participation (MYP) Youth Caucus Recommendations and these include:

1. Access to Participation Platforms:

Young people must be provided with structured and accessible platforms at the global, regional, national, and community levels that enable them to participate and access accurate information about their health and well-being.

2. Inclusion in Decision-Making:

Youth must be integrated into decision-making processes on all matters affecting their lives, including the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of relevant policies and strategies.

3. Adequate Resourcing:

Resources must be mobilized and dedicated to building the capacity of young people and youth-led organizations, ensuring they are well-supported to contribute meaningfully and sustainably.

4. Access to Timely Information:

Young people must have continuous access to current and accurate information on issues that affect them, enabling informed decision-making and advocacy.

5. Authority and Autonomy:

Youth must be given real authority within decision-making structures, empowering them to lead and act independently in promoting SRHR and broader youth development agendas.

6. Inclusivity and Diversity:

Youth participation must be inclusive of young people from diverse backgrounds, including those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, ensuring equity in representation and influence.

7. Youth-Led SRHR Advocacy:

Engagement must reflect a progressive and youth-defined position on SRHR, respecting young people’s voices, lived experiences, and priorities.

8. Enabling Environments:

All participation must take place in safe, supportive, and enabling environments where young people are free to express themselves and engage without fear or limitation.

9. Youth Professionalism and Leadership:

Young people must commit to professionalism, continuous learning, and leadership, using participation opportunities to influence policy and lead change at all levels of society.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the state of SRH in Zimbabwe, we must recognize that young people are not just the future; they are the present. Their voices, experiences, and insights are critical to shaping effective and responsive SRHR programs. By prioritizing youth-led initiatives, we not only address the immediate health challenges facing this demographic but also build a sustainable movement that empowers future generations. Breaking the silence around youth-led SRH programs is not just a necessity; it is an urgent call for collective action to uphold the rights of young people in Zimbabwe and beyond. It is time to listen, to learn, and to lead together.

Reference links:

[1] Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT). (2022). 2022 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Report.
[2] Adolescents and Youth Strategy 2023-2026. UNICEF Zimbabwe
[3] Szymuś, Klaudia et al (2023). Meaningful youth engagement in sexual and reproductive health and rights decision making. The Lancet Global Health, Volume 12, Issue 1, e20 – e21