Youth participation in elections hailed

By The NewsDay | Aug. 21, 2018 | 2 Min read

YOUTH empowerment lobby group, Activista Zimbabwe, has applauded youth participation in the just-ended harmonised elections.

BY SINDISO DUBE

Activista national co-ordinator Thando Gwinji said a meaningful and progressive participation was witnessed as youths mobilised and supported each other to register to vote across the country.

“Through the BLITZ phases, inspection of the voters’ roll, nomination, voter education, campaigning and monitoring elections young people held the reins in hopes for a better Zimbabwe as compared to the past elections. Kudos to all who stood up on July 30 to go and vote. Yours is a contribution to one of the important tenets of democracy, a value which we uphold as a movement,” she said.

“This election placed an important mark in our history and through victories and disappointments, quite a number of lessons have been engraved in our hearts and mindsets. As key stakeholders of change, youth across the country need to take note of these lessons and work on them for our growth and the growth of our dear nation.”

Gwinji, however, expressed disappointment at the poor representation of women in Parliament.

“We have been shown with great disappointment that it is not yet uhuru for women in political leadership, a few number women contested and won in the elections. It is unfortunate that the quota system, whose tenure ends in 2023, might not have achieved its intended purpose, especially in inspiring young female political activists to stand up to be voted for. Violence against women in physical and cyber spaces was unbearable during the election period as their sexuality was used in de-campaigning them rather than their policies and capabilities out of the bedroom,” she said.

Activista is a global movement made up of youth activists working with artistes, filmmakers, musicians and student organisations to create campaign platforms.