Online Reporter
Disability Issues
Dr Christine Peta
YOUTHS are a vital pillar of society and the leaders of tomorrow.
Therefore, it is essential that they are well-educated, well-trained and provided with the necessary support to become integral members of their communities.
Against this backdrop, on July 15, Zimbabwe, just like many countries around the world, will mark World Youth Skills Day.
This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the importance of equipping young people with the skills required for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
This year’s theme, “Skills for a shared future”, carries particular resonance for youth with disabilities, who often face compounded barriers to education, training and employment.
Yet, they also represent a powerful force for innovation, resilience and inclusion in a rapidly changing world.
The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation.
Artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition and increasing social complexity are reshaping how societies function and how individuals participate in both education and the workforce.
For young people with disabilities, these shifts present both challenges and opportunities.
While inaccessible technologies and entrenched discrimination can deepen exclusion, new digital tools, inclusive design and progressive policies can open doors that were previously closed.
To thrive, youth with disabilities require more than just technical training.
They need a balanced set of competencies, including digital literacy, green skills, social-emotional intelligence and civic engagement — all underpinned by human qualities such as empathy, creativity and resilience.
Globally, young people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed as their peers without disabilities, often due to limited access to quality education, vocational training and mentorship.
However, inclusive digital training hubs — which teach coding, AI and data skills with built-in accessibility features — can ensure that blind, deaf or mobility-impaired youth participate fully.
Similarly, green entrepreneurship initiatives can empower youth with disabilities to lead in sustainable farming, renewable energy and climate advocacy, proving that disability is no barrier to environmental leadership.
Furthermore, social-emotional learning programmes can help young people with disabilities build confidence and leadership skills, enabling them to challenge stereotypes and advocate for more inclusive societies.
These initiatives embody the spirit of “Skills for a shared future” by ensuring that youth with disabilities are not merely adapting to change but actively shaping it.
Youth with disabilities often bring unique perspectives, having navigated systems that were not originally designed with them in mind.
Their leadership can inspire workplaces, schools and communities to embrace diversity as a strength. When we embrace diversity, resilience grows.
The green transition offers a powerful opportunity to integrate youth with disabilities into the future of work.
Accessible training in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience ensures that these young people are not left behind in the race towards sustainability.
Moreover, their participation strengthens the inclusivity of climate action, ensuring that solutions are designed for all.
As Zimbabwe and the world celebrate the upcoming World Youth Skills Day (2026), we must all commit to inclusive skills development.
This includes investing in accessible education and training platforms, creating mentorship and internship opportunities tailored for youth with disabilities and ensuring that AI and digital technologies are designed inclusively from the start.
It is vital that we support youth-led initiatives that combine technical, green and civic skills with human-centred leadership.
Youth with disabilities are not passive recipients of support; they are active leaders, innovators and change-makers.
By equipping them with the right skills, society unlocks the potential to build a world that is more empathetic, resilient and inclusive.
On this World Youth Skills Day, let us celebrate the contributions of youth with disabilities and commit to ensuring that the future we share leaves no one behind.
The theme, “Skills for a shared future”, is not just a slogan; it is a roadmap.
A future that is shared must be inclusive, a future that is sustainable must be accessible and a future that is prosperous must empower every young person — including those with disabilities — to contribute their talents and vision.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She can be contacted on [email protected]
