With the impacts of climate change still being experienced by Zimbabwean communities and Zimbabwe having experienced two cyclones, My Age Zimbabwe Trust, part of the STEPS project, remains committed to engaging the youth in resilience-building strategies.
A recent facilitated film screening conducted in Bhuka sparked critical discussion on community resilience, with a strong focus on the health and inclusion of the youth in decision-making forums.
A strong community must be empowered with the capacity to rebound from disasters. In Bhuka, young people pointed out that their health is of utmost significance when considering resilience interventions.
Since young people make up 61% of the population of Zimbabwe, their contribution to community institutions is not only valuable; it is vital.
But perhaps most critical of the issues brought up during the discussion was their exclusion from decision-making forums, particularly the Health Centre Committee (HCC)
The community leaders acknowledged this gap, agreeing that the youth play a critical role in mobilizing their peers through a peer-to-peer information dissemination approach.
The approach is effective since it presents the messages on climate change, health, and resilience in a relatable and effective way to a large audience, particularly the youth
Suggestions from the young people stated that for them to access more services like condoms, they would need young community representatives to give them, as opposed to having only the older village health workers distribute the condoms and disseminate SRHR information.
Another major challenge that also came out of the discussion was that of shortage in condom supply since February.
Condoms that the village health workers would distribute at the Bhua Steven shops are no longer available, and the young people were making requests that condoms are a vital part of sexual safety and they would need condoms to be available where possible.
One of the key outcomes of the session was a commitment from the two community representatives who sit in the monthly HCC meetings. They committed to advocating for the inclusion of youth as the HCC grows.
Their goal is to ensure that future HCCs will be represented by youth, recognizing the vital role that young voices play when making health and adaptation for the climate.
This is a step closer to a more integrated approach for the development of Masvingo’s climate resilience. By ensuring that youth are incorporated into strategic community structures.
