My Age Zimbabwe from March 11th to 14th, 2025,in Harare played host to the CE SI Technical Assistance In-Person Youth Engagement Meeting, a pivotal gathering designed to amplify youth voices within Zimbabwe’s Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) implementation.
The meeting centered on equipping youth representatives with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective engagement, while simultaneously refining the Adolescent and Young People Engagement Roadmap.
The four-day agenda focused on achieving several key objectives: increasing sustained youth engagement in GC7, empowering youth representatives with understanding of the Global Fund’s operations, refining the engagement roadmap for enhanced youth participation in governance, and establishing transparent mechanisms for youth representation within the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).
Structured presentations and interactive activities facilitated meaningful dialogue. Highlights included an overview of GC7’s focus on TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, alongside discussions on youth experiences within health programming.
Insights from the National AIDS Council (NAC) and Plan International further illuminated the HIV, malaria, and TB components of the grant, prompting reflection on the impact of the USG Stop Order on youth health services.
The Youth Health Movement (YHM) presented engagement strategies, fostering collaborative mapping of advocacy spaces and discussions surrounding the USAID stop order’s implications.
The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on multi-sectoral approaches, youth-led initiatives, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
The insights gathered and recommendations generated are vital for addressing the health needs of Zimbabwean adolescents and young people, ensuring their voices are central to the successful implementation of future health programs.
