Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day Statement
“ZimRights calls for the protection of the Rights, Freedoms and Dignity of Young People”
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) joins the rest of the nation in commemorating Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, which is celebrated on the 21st of February every year. Unfortunately, the day comes at a time when there is little to celebrate – a time when youth are grappling with drug and substance abuse challenges, youth are used as tools for political violence, and youth are victims of fear induced apathy in civic and democratic processes. 150 000 ZimRights members under the Youth Action Zone bemoaned that, “Being young in Zimbabwe is un-dignifying yet Section 56 (1) of the Constitution bestows the right to dignity on every person.
Two out of every three Zimbabweans is below the age of 25 (UN Youth, 2022). Zimbabwe is a young country in which 60% of the population are youth (ZimStats, 2022) yet the average age of a parliamentarian in Zimbabwe is 53 years (International Parliamentary Union, 2023). In a normal economic democratic developmental state, the youth bulge in Zimbabwe should mean, high productivity; high Gross Domestic Product, low employment rate; productive human capital; pro youth policies and equal youth representation in Governance. This is not the case in Zimbabwe. 80% of Zimbabwean youth are unemployed; youth are underrepresented in parliament and are largely abused as tools for politicking. Zimbabwe is in a poly-crisis and the youth are the worst affected.
On the contrary the national youth day, is supposed to signify national recognition of the importance of youth voices and initiatives as well as the need for youth empowerment to enable youths to positively contribute to change in their communities. This year, National Youth Day is celebrated under the theme, “Positioning youth empowerment and development towards Vision 2030″.
Under this theme, the focus is on enhancing youth empowerment in the community, national and global levels to ensure that processes at each of these levels are responsive to the needs of the youth and inclusive of their views.
This year, R.G Mugabe National Youth Day comes at a time where the nation is grappling with the post-election dilemma, which has had severe economic and social impact on the nation. Young people are particularly vulnerable to the economic challenges.
Some are currently facing disruptions to their education which may continue indefinitely. As a result, young people are currently at the risk of falling behind in terms of their education and economic opportunities.
According to section 20 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, the Youth and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take reasonable measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that youths, that is to say people between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five years – have access to appropriate education and training and have opportunities to associate and to be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life.
Government of Zimbabwe must ensure that young people are included in the formulation of economic and social development strategies. As such youth voices will be recognized and included at all decision-making levels.
Section 3(2)(i) of the Zimbabwean Constitution recognizes respect for the rights of youths as a principle of good governance, which binds the State and all Government institutions and agencies. It is therefore critical to respect youth rights which are also human rights. Youth engagement that is founded on the respect of human rights is crucial to building tolerance, breaking inter-generational cycles of human rights violations, and stopping the culture of impunity in Zimbabwe. It represents an investment in tackling injustice and building a society where non-recurrence of gross human violations is guaranteed.
Yet instead of being engaged, some of the youths in Zimbabwe are being tortured. Last year Takudzwa Ngadziore opposition youth leader was allegedly abducted and tortured and found naked following a suspected case of politically motivated abduction. ZimRights condemns this act of violence as stated in the constitution of Zimbabwe section 53.
This year’s celebrations seek to promote unity and solidarity among young Zimbabweans, emphasizing their role as the future of the nation.
- We call upon the youths of Zimbabwe to come together and peacefully engage the government of Zimbabwe to ensure respect and protection of the rights of youths at every level of government and by all government agencies.
- Urge government of Zimbabwe to ensure that young people are included in the formulation of economic and social development strategies.
- ZimRights further calls on the government of Zimbabwe to prioritize respect for human rights and engagement with youths in tackling injustice and building a peaceful society.
Issued by
ZimRights Information Department
info@zimrights.org.zw
