Source: Consultations on new youth policy begin | The Sunday Mail 24 MAR, 2019
Sharon Munjenjema
Government has begun consultations on a new national youth policy that dovetails with the Second Republic’s vision to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy in the next decade.
The current youth policy was developed in 2013 and Government will use part of the $53,5 million budgetary allocation from Treasury to drive the new framework for youths.
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry told The Sunday Mail that the policy formulation process would be inclusive.
“We don’t want it to be a rushed document. It must be done properly and in a consultative manner with young people, stakeholders and other line ministries,” she said. Various platforms, said Minister Coventry, will be used to engage youths.
“There will be different ways of engagement. From this youth indaba, we have created different social media platforms as well, where we will be delivering messages; asking questions on certain points within the policy, as well as at district and ward level,” she said.
“We will also be using some of our partners; UNICEF has offered to help. We have had other partner organisations here that have offered to help to go out and ask questions and give us feedback.”
It is believed that the new policy will also be guided by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Further, in line with Government’s commitment to empower young people, the new policy will focus on job creation for youths.
Minister Coventry added: “We really want it to be an entire process, not just (focus on) specific points. We will look at it holistically and see how we can move forward,” she said.
The Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry this month hosted a two-day inaugural youth indaba where young people from various sectors interfaced with President Mnangagwa and other senior political leaders.
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