Statement by NYDT on the International Women’s Day

As the world commemorated International Women’s day in 2012, under the theme “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures”, opportunities remain bleak for the young women in Zimbabwe.

 The celebrations come at a time when young women are facing challenges in accessing basic services that have an impact not only on their day to day lives but on their futures development as well. Access to identity documents remains a hustle for young women who have to spend nights in long queues in an effort to obtain the documents which are a right not a privilege. These young women, are left at risk of being swindled their hard earned cash by con men and corrupt officials who promise swifter services at a price, yet it is the duty of the office of the registrar to ensure that these young women gain access to IDs, passports and birth certificates without incurring extra costs.

This year’s International Women’s Day happens at a time when Zimbabwe is undergoing a landmark in its history because of the constitution making process. Participation of young women throughout this process so far has been minimal and no effort has been made to address to even understand the factors contributing to such trends and address them.  On the other hand, limited strides have been made to promote the participation of young women in critical political decisions an element that has seen them being left out of all decision making processes.  There remains therefore a need for a new constitution that guarantees the up-liftment of young women, particularly the rural young women.

Lack of assistance economically is a challenge that faces young women in Zimbabwe and is potentially a threat to their futures. The number of young women who are benefitting from the youth empowerment projects for instance is pitiable, owing to lack of information, gender insensitive selection criteria and lack of transparency in implementing the projects.

 It is therefore the view of the NYDT that as a way of providing opportunities for the young women, to inspire their futures, the Attorney General’s office, COPAC and the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment, make all the necessary strides to empower the girl child.

The Ministry of Youth Indigenisation and Empowerment should revise the method used to administer and distribute the youth fund as well as the requirements as they are limiting particularly to the disadvantaged youths who should be the priority beneficiaries of the fund, with particular reference to the young women.

The Office of the Registrar General should ensure that their service delivery is reorganised to equally meet the needs of young women. Attempts should be made at improving the service delivery so that women can have an easier and efficient access to the basic registration documents. Additionally, leniency should be underlined in voter registration procedures to eliminate the element of the whole procedure being stifling and cumbersome. Such a move presents a potential in promoting young women’s participation in the various national processes in the country.

The COPAC together with the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary affairs should promote the supreme law of the land to encapsulate the aspirations of young women. As such, the COPAC and the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs should ensure that the new constitution allows for a conducive environment to build the capacities of young women to take up leadership in all developmental spheres alongside with their male counterparts.