Real Agenda For Youth Transformation Trust

Zimbabwe is a nation that has celebrated the decline in HIV prevalence among its population. A number of progressive initiatives were taken to fight the epidemic. However, these strides were done by adults and at large for adults. This has created a big gap and challenge for young people especially those living with HIV. The progressive initiatives only lacked to target young people living with HIV and those affected with HIV. HIV prevalence for the nation has declined, however the story is not the same for among young people. Issues relating to Stigma and Discrimination, HIV myths, Inaccessible ARVs, Non Existence of PMTCT, Uncompassionate health staff and related trauma are the biggest barriers for young people living with HIV and stand as hindrance for HTC behavior among young people. This paper want to focus on the gaps that needs action informed by the past and the present situation for positive living among young people living with HIV. The first cases of AIDS in Zimbabwe we...

The resolute voice among young people is that they want to be involved in decision making processes at every level of life. The approach towards meaningful participation is not as mere policy and programme beneficiaries but as equal stakeholders required during policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Adults were and some are of the notion that youths are leaders of the Future. This has found its way to alienate youths bestowing adults with Present’s discourse. The emergence of Youths are Leader of Present echoed through amplified and coordinated global, regional and national campaigns. For development to be successful, an intergenerational partnership is pre-requisite. Humankind lives in a sprinting-relay scenario, where generations pass on to another as the race of life moves. This implies that the adults had their time and influenced much of the Past and part of the Present. The other part of Present and Future resonates to be shaped by young people. Thus it’s a cycl...

Masvingo Leave No Youth Behind Campaign Zimbabwe is facing the demographic dividend and happens to be oblivious on how to yield proceeds. This marks a potential gain for local authorities if planned well. It is a pity that investing in young people has never been on the local authorities agenda. It is rather sad that most local authorities in Zimbabwe do not have the foresight on the implications of not investing in young people. The improvement of local authorities is based on the payment of rates by ratepayers, business opportunities that comes with investments and the manner in which the local authorities plan. It becomes a plan to fail, when 67% of the population is not taken into account when planning, implementing and evaluating for whatever purpose towards development. It becomes insightful with devolution rolling out. Employment creation is the greatest investment local authorities could gain from the demographic dividend. Although it is not the outright role of local ...