Young Women in Binga Urged to Take Active Role in Development
Bwami Chonga Mudimba
Young women in Binga have been encouraged to take a more active role in shaping their communities and contributing to local development.
Speaking during a meeting organized by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), Binga Chapter, Mrs. Danisa Mudimba, Acting Director of Basilwizi Trust, urged participants to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. “I encourage young women of Binga to participate in creating an inclusive environment to voice their priorities and demands concerning social and economic rights,” she said.
The meeting brought together young women to unpack and evaluate the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy, focusing on assessing its achievements and challenges. The engagement aimed to ensure that young women’s voices and perspectives are incorporated into the policy review process.
Participants discussed their key priorities and challenges, identifying ways to strengthen youth involvement in local and national development. They were also encouraged to align their efforts with Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
The session explored youth empowerment initiatives such as Empower Bank and the Kurera Ukondla Youth Fund. However, Ulizi Muchimba, a young woman from Binga, highlighted the barriers many face in accessing such support. “We are aware of the youth fund and loans, but the reason why young women don’t apply for the funding is because the process is too long and has a lot of paperwork. At times, after going through the process, one doesn’t get the loan, which draws us back,”she explained.
The National Youth Policy targets 25% youth participation in decision-making by 2030 and promotes inclusion of persons with disabilities. Magadaline Munsaka encouraged her peers to take part in community meetings, saying, “Young women must participate in several community meetings and be involved in decision making.”
Florence Mumpande, a local businesswoman, emphasized the importance of solidarity and information-sharing among women, stating, “Young women must learn to share everything developmental among each other in the community so that every woman benefits.”
The policy is anchored on five thematic areas: Education and Skills Development, Economic Empowerment, Governance, technology, and digital transformation Health and Wellbeing. Each area was discussed in detail, helping participants understand how they can benefit and contribute to national development.
The meeting concluded with participants developing an action plan to guide their activities and goals. This initiative not only motivated young women in Binga to play a greater role in their community’s progress but also reinforced their place in building a more inclusive and equitable future.
