The Women's Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), has petitioned the government demanding increased youth participation in government.
WALPE called for a policy that guarantees at least half of all public leadership and decision-making positions to be held by young people.
During a breakfast meeting with the youth Parliamentary Caucus, WALPE said a legislative framework providing for a 50 percent quota was necessary.
"Zimbabwean youth make up a staggering 67.7% of the population," WALPE said in its position paper.
"Despite being the most impacted by government policies, they are consistently excluded from the decision-making process."
In an interview with NewsDay, Stanley Sakupwanya, a Manicaland Youth lawmaker who is also the Parliamentary Youth Caucus Chairman said it is important to promote youth participation in governance and other decision making processes.
“That means to say leadership positions, youth have to be involved in every aspect of decision-making because whatever decision is made is directly affecting them and those that come after us,” Sakupwanya said.
Hurungwe women's quota lawmaker, Nomsa Chamvura, echoed similar sentiments.
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“We will also advocate for more workshops that will target the youths, and meeting with other fellow youth parliamentarians so as to learn a few things and take part also in decision making and gaining skills,” she said.
Despite the establishment of the Ministry of Youth, young people remain largely excluded from leadership and decision-making positions.
