My Age Africa recently participated in a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue hosted by DAWA in Masvingo. This gathering brought together a diverse group of civil society actors, development partners, and, most importantly, young women themselves, to engage in critical reflection on the participation of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in policy-making arenas. The dialogue served as a vital platform for collective examination of inclusion, representation, and the multifaceted realities that shape young women’s civic engagement.
The dialogue drew significantly from research conducted by DAWA under its initiative focused on connecting young women and girls in Zimbabwe. The research findings highlighted a concerning trend: a significant absence of AGYW, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 35, from key policy-making spaces. This absence is not merely a matter of numbers; it underscores the persistent structural, social, and systemic barriers that continue to impede meaningful participation.
Participants identified a range of contributing factors, including limited access to information, economic constraints, and a lack of self-confidence. However, a more profound issue emerged concerning socialization.
From a young age, girls are often conditioned to be reserved, to avoid conflict, and to occupy less space in leadership and decision-making environments. These ingrained norms exert a lasting influence on whether and how young women engage in civic and policy spaces later in life.
A compelling illustration of these challenges was the case of a young teenage girl from Masvingo who ran for office but was unsuccessful. While some attributed her loss to her age, the dialogue participants challenged this simplistic explanation, highlighting instead the broader societal biases against young women in leadership positions and questioning whether they are truly afforded equal opportunities to succeed.
Despite these obstacles, the dialogue also shed light on progress and ongoing efforts by various stakeholders. DAWA has trained 15 young women across Zimbabwe to enhance their participation in policy processes. Furthermore, regional learning exchanges, facilitated through webinars connecting young women from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, have fostered solidarity, shared learning, and cross-border movement building.
Key recommendations emanating from the multi-stakeholder engagement emphasised the strengthening of feminist movement building to facilitate collective action. This aligns strongly with My Age Africa’s commitment to movement building, which prioritises coordinated and inclusive action and centres the well-being of young people, advocating for youth-centred approaches to advocacy and social change.
Specific recommendations included the development of structured policy tracking mechanisms to ensure accountability in implementation, as well as the translation of policies into vernacular languages to enhance accessibility and community ownership.
Participants also underscored the importance of sustained capacity building for young women, encompassing vocational training and skills development to foster both economic empowerment and civic participation. Furthermore, the need for stronger GBV prevention and risk reduction strategies was identified as crucial, given the significant role of violence, fear, and safety concerns in limiting young women’s engagement in public and civic spaces.
The pervasive exclusion of young women from policy spaces is not due to a lack of interest or capacity, but rather the result of deeply entrenched structural and social barriers. If we are truly committed to transformation, we must systematically dismantle these barriers and create an environment where young women can thrive and shape the policies that affect their lives.
