Co-created and co-convened by Young People, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), and My Age Zimbabwe with support from UNESCO Zimbabwe, SRHR Africa Trust, Population Services Zimbabwe, REPSSI, and Plan International among others hosted the Adolescents Health and Wellbeing Symposium 2024 in Harare, which was a carry on from the first convening in November 2023 which was the first of its kind. During the Symposium the Ministry of Health made significant commitments to prioritize adolescent health, including, increasing investment and resources in the wellbeing of young people and supporting movements and partnerships that aim to improve the health and Wellbeing of young people Developing a comprehensive adolescent health policy to guide the country’s response to adolescent health issues. “We are committed to ensuring that the health and wellbeing of adolescents in Zimbabwe are prioritized,” said Lucia Gondongwe from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. “We recognize the critical role that adolescents play in shaping the future of our country, and we are dedicated to providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive.”
TheAdolescents Health and Wellbeing Symposium, was a landmark event that shed light on the pressing concerns affecting the youth and explored innovative solutions to promote their overall well-being. The Symposium convened decision-makers from diverse fields, including government, private sector, development partners, and donor agencies, alongside youth-led organizations, Civic Society Organisations, youth-led and Key and Vulnerable Populations organizations, and advocates representing the intersectional identities of young people, and underrepresented populations to identify solutions, bolster accountability, and drive changee symposium was an opportunity to connect people, ideas, and resources to drive solutions for the health, Rights, and Well-being of Adolescents and Young People in Zimbabwe.
The ZAHWS was a platform that identified opportunities to bolster advocacy through effective collaboration, focusing on what works, bringing together unexpected partnerships, or connecting interdependent issues to bolster the strongest commitments for adolescents and Young People. It is a space for connection and peer-to-peer learning, reaching advocates with diverse experiences and identities, and supporting their ability to influence at different levels of decision- and policy-making.
The Symposium focused on critical areas such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, substance abuse prevention, and the integration of comprehensive wellness programs within educational institutions. By fostering cross-sectoral dialogues and fostering a spirit of innovation, the event empowered Zimbabwe’s youth and equip them with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in their formative years.
