Chronicle EditorThandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Reporter
CIVIL organisations have been called to increase health, education and well-being investments for young people to enhance socio-economic development. This follows reports that adolescents and the youth in Zimbabwe are experiencing adverse life outcomes, including unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and school dropouts.
Early and teenage pregnancy have major health consequences for adolescent mothers and their babies and contribute around 30 percent of maternal deaths. In a statement to mark International Youth Day commemorated annually on August 12, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said such investments are necessary to ensure young people reach their full potential.
The theme for this year’s International Youth Day was “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”.
“Young people face difficulties in accessing social services such as health and education due to stigma, negative cultural norms, lack of knowledge, low-risk perception, a health system that is not youth-centered, and economic dis-empowerment or poverty,” said UNFPA adolescent sexual reproductive health specialist, Mr Blessing Nyagumbo.
“This leads to them engaging in negative coping strategies such as early sexual debut and unprotected sex, resulting in high HIV infections and teenage pregnancy.
“Drug and substance abuse are worryingly on the increase among young people and also contribute to the negative life outcomes.”
He said the Covid-19 and its recurrent waves have been a huge drawback for young people’s development locally and beyond.
“The Zimbabwe multi-hazard context, including the adverse effects of climate change, disease outbreaks and economic uncertainty, exacerbates the risk of exposure to gender-based violence with potentially life-threatening consequences,” said Mr Nyagumbo.
“Investment in young people’s health, education, economic opportunities and well-being is critical in supporting them to reach their full potential so that they contribute to national development.”
Ms Memory Kanyati, an official from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation said more was needed to keep youths active in economic revival.
“The Government of Zimbabwe greatly appreciates the great collaboration with UNFPA towards ensuring young people reach their full potential over the years but there is still more we can do together with them and other partners to invest more in young people,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust (ZWACT) also urged the youth not to shy away from taking leadership positions to be better placed to fight corruption.
“Mainstreaming anticorruption teachings in the education curricula from early childhood learning up to tertiary institutions will ensure that people know their rights from a younger age and be empowered to resist and report corruption when it occurs,” ZWACT said. – @thamamoe
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu