Young people must step into lawmaking spaces to ensure their lived experiences of climate change and sexual and reproductive health shape national budgets and legislation.
Emakhandeni-Luveve MP Discent Bajila challenged young attendees during a youth form to stop being passive observers.
The forum, held with Parliamentary portfolio committee members for health and supported by the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and Plan International Zimbabwe, focused on how climate shocks affect access to health services.
“These conversations are absolutely necessary because they invite the views of young people so that their perspectives are central to our legislative reviews, resource mobilisation and even the implementation of government programmes,” Bajila said.
He revealed a troubling gap: during recent consultations on a climate change management bill amendment, young people were noticeably absent. The same silence occurred during health legislation reviews.
“We didn’t get the views of young people coming on board,” Bajila said.
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Plan International Zimbabwe’s Nomzamo Fuzane said youth from hard-hit areas like Tsholotsho plagued by floods and human-wildlife conflict articulated clear demands.
Floods, droughts and displacement are worsening period poverty and stigma, they said.
“Climate change is not just about the environment,” Fuzane said.
“It is about health, dignity, and whether a girl can stay in school or go to church.”