By Yeukai Munetsi
Young women in Lower Gwelo have raised concern about limited participation in peace and governance processes, particularly within the Village Development Committee (VDCO) and Ward Development Committees (WARDCO).
Ethel Dube, a young woman from Lower Gwelo, Ward 8 Lugwalo Village expressed frustration over the lack of acknowledgment of their ideas in both committees which she said has led to high levels of apathy in peace processes and governance structures.
“As a young woman I am frustrated by the WARDCO and VDCO in my ward which are not open to young women’s participation. The few women that participate in these spaces complain that their voices are suppressed as the elderly are not capturing their views. They are demotivated by the elderly who say they do not know anything and are disrespectful,” said Dube.
She said their efforts were only recognized when labor was needed, rather than being appreciated for their potential contributions to the community’s development and peace-building.
“The problem with our community and these setups is that we are only recognized in terms of labor. They realize our importance when they want to use us. When it’s something that benefits young women, they do not call us and this demotivates us,” said Dube.
Another young woman, Hazel Ncube emphasized the need for awareness-raising initiatives to empower the elderly and educate them on the importance of including young women in these structures.
“I think to solve all these, there is need for raising awareness to educate and empower the elderly on the need for young women to participate in these structures,” she said.
Ward 8 councilor Venencia Magama emphasized that the selection process for the Ward Development Committee (WARDCO) was biased, as it heavily favors the selection of elders over young women.
“There is need for a more inclusive and flexible approach that would allow young women to actively participate and contribute to the committee’s work,” said Magama.
Lugwalo Village Head, Mthandazo Lugwalo explained the VDCO set up and how it plays a crucial role in rural communities by providing a platform for community members to engage in discussions on various developmental issues.
“A VDCO is very important as it is where conversations are initiated with regards to the community. After these deliberations are done the VDCO submits their issues to the Village Head for evaluation. However, the current structure of the VDCO only allows for one spot for both male and female youths, leaving young women feeling excluded from these important conversations,” said Lugwalo.
Lugwalo also highlighted that young women were not attending and participating in these processes, which has resulted in positions meant for them being given to the elderly.
“The challenge with young women is that they do not show up at meetings assuming that it is for the elders and this has left young women behind in many developmental and peace processes. Because young women are not participating positions meant for young women are being given to the elderly,” he said.
National Association of Youth Organizations’ (NAYO) McDonald Munyoro said patriarchy was the main reason behind young women’s limited participation in governance structures in Zimbabwe.
“When we look at the participation of young women in Zimbabwe largely because we are a patriarchal society, you find out that the levels of participation are still very low and this becomes more significant if we move into rural communities. This is where we have the VDCO and the WARDCO which are the smallest yet closest to the government.
He added that cultural practices continue to hinder young women’s participation in local processes.
“These two structures are important for young women to participate but because of culture and certain practices young women are suppressed. Culturally they are not allowed to stand and speak before men hence young men have been assuming these positions.
“These WARDCO and VDCO play many roles in the peace processes and social inclusion. In the context of peace building, for as long as young women are not it in the process they cannot influence and shape narratives in their societies,” said Munyoro
He said there was need for deliberate action from different stakeholders to look at the participation of young women in VDCO and WARDCO.
“There is need for different stakeholders to partner and act on improving young women’s participation. There is also need to involve the Ministry of Local Government to introduce the quota system within these two set ups and ensure that young women are represented and participate,” said Munyoro.
