Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
YOUNG people are increasingly being recognised as crucial leaders in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts across Zimbabwe and the Southern African region.
This sentiment was a central theme at the 2nd Zimbabwe Youth Symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction, which opened today, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event that established Africa’s first National Youth Desk on DRR.
The two-day symposium, co-convened by ActionAid Zimbabwe’s youth network, Global Platform Zimbabwe, in collaboration with key partners, aims to institutionalise youth participation in DRR and foster regional collaboration.
In her remarks, the chief director for Gender Policy Planning and Programme in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Mrs Lilian Matsika-Takaendesa, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to empowering women and young women in disaster response.
“The ministry is represented from the national to the ward level and we have ward coordinators who are our cadres engaging with communities daily,” Mrs Matsika-Takaendesa said.
She emphasised the importance of capacity building in disaster-prone regions, enabling communities, particularly young women, to recognise and respond to disasters effectively.
Mrs Matsika-Takaendesa underscored the significance of the 2023 Women in Leadership and Decision-Making Strategy, which actively includes women in civil protection, climate disaster and local governance platforms.
“We want women and young women to take leadership roles. We do not want them to be recipients…we want their voices to be heard,” she said, advocating for women to shape every response implemented in communities.
A critical focus of the ministry’s agenda, she said, is addressing gender-based violence (GBV) during emergencies.
“We have had reports where young women have been asked for sexual services in exchange of those initiatives. Those who are supposed to be protecting them are abusing them,” she said.
She stressed the importance of integrating a GBV strategy into disaster response to protect against such violations.
“The ministry is also actively implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, recognising women’s pivotal role in peace-building and humanitarian efforts,” she said.
Action Aid sub-regional convener and country director Mr Joy Mabenge, expressed immense pleasure at the symposium’s gathering, emphasising the critical role of youth.
“Your presence underscores the shared commitment to building resilient communities and a sustainable future for Zimbabwe and the Southern African region, recognising that youth leadership is not an afterthought; it is critical to transforming the humanitarian system,” Mr Mabenge said.
He highlighted that youth are “not just future leaders; they are leaders right now, reshaping systems with creativity, courage and care.”
Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) project officer Mr Jeffrey Mafuta echoed Mr Mabenge’s sentiments.
“Let us build disaster risk systems that listen to, respect and empower young people. Youth are not just beneficiaries, they are leaders, partners and innovators of tomorrow’s resilience,” Mr Mafuta said.
The symposium aims to develop a comprehensive outcome document with key recommendations to be shared at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva in June 2025.
