Bongani Ndlovu
Peter Matika
Legislators from across Zimbabwe are gathered at Lobengula Hall in Bulawayo, where dozens of youths have convened for a public dialogue aimed at addressing challenges affecting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
The meeting is part of a weeklong caucus, organised by the Parliamentary Youth Caucus in partnership with the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s SRHR, HIV and AIDS and Governance Project, will be held in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Kadoma and Epworth between June 22 and 26.
The engagements are expected to focus on issues affecting young people, including access to reproductive health information and services, teenage pregnancies, HIV prevention, substance abuse, mental health, gender-based violence, youth-friendly health facilities and barriers to healthcare in rural and urban communities.
Legislators attending the meetings are expected to gather views from young people that could help shape policies and laws aimed at improving health outcomes and opportunities for youths.
The dialogues will also provide a platform for youths to directly engage policymakers on challenges affecting their wellbeing and development.
derick.khumalo