Yeukai Munetsi
Gweru City Council had raised concern over low youth, women and People with Disabilities (PWDs) turn out at budget consultations.
At least ten youth and four women attended the budget consultation meeting hosted by council, with only a few representing people with disabilities.
Speaking at the event GCC ward 15 councillor Trust Chinene expressed concern over the low turnout by vulnerable groups saying that it defeated the whole purpose of consultations.
“I am worried with this small number present at this juncture considering that this meeting is very important in addressing key issues that are affecting youth, women and PWDs with regards to budget.
“It is very sad to note that the same vulnerable groups that make noise on social media are not taking budget consultations seriously,” he said.
Gweru Council Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee concurred with Chinene saying the low turnout was a disappointment.
“As local authority, we are very disappointed by the low turnout of youth, people with disabilities and women. We thought that giving them space was important to let them air their views as we always see them on social media complaining.
“Participating in these budget consultations was going to ensure that their needs are addressed and council provide quality services. As council we are heart-broken as we thought the 2023 budget was going to address their concerns through participation,” she said.
She further encouraged youth, women and PWDs to attend such meetings whenever they are called for.
A youth, Kuchineyi Lewis said the politicised system is to be blamed for low turnout as it automatically discourages people from playing their part.
“What’s in it for the youth to participate? Should they come simply because council says come or there should be some form of investment that motivates youth, women and the general populace to participate?
“We are where we are in non-participation because of the conscious effort and investment of politicians bent on exclusion and partisan politics. Let’s not take the input of our patriarchs for granted in creating such a situation that best serve their selfish political ambitions.
“As such, instead of castigating the youth for a no show, research and investment should be on ways of fostering comprehensive participation,” he said.
Gweru City council is engaging various stakeholders as it seek to come up with a ZW$ 46 billion budget.
