9 May 2019
Young women’s participation in the national processes is lagging behind hence the need for a safe space to deliberate on issues that affect young women with particular interest on their participation and inclusion in governance processes.
There are few engagement platforms for women, especially young women, on governance processes hence they entered into the election without a clear path, vision, expectations and possible mitigation measures to counter challenges. Zimbabwean laws do not recognise the need to reserve seats for people with disabilities and young women at all levels of the governance spectrum. Extortion through sex is one of the identified barriers to entry that young women face during election periods and this has resulted in low participation of young women in leadership positions.
Lack of knowledge of political and governance processes is a major reason why women occupy less posts in public offices. It was indicated that women are either not interested to know of the governance processes or they do not have access to the correct information. Despite the identified barriers, there has been progress due to the quota system. The biggest opportunity to young women penetrating national processes lies in civic education, capacity enhancement, advocacy, behaviour and attitude change, identifying young female mentors who are breaking the glass ceiling, influential organisations supporting and giving exposure to young women as well as ongoing dialogue.
Young women in Mutare reflected on the state of their rights in Zimbabwe and interrogated the barriers to entry for young women in politics. The young women also developed a framework on how they can strategically and effectively participate in national processes and consolidate the 2019 Young Women’s Forum Work Plan.
