#ElectionsZW: Youth participation in elections helps build peaceful societies-WeLead
Youth leadership development and advocacy organisation WeLead Trust, says the participation of youths in electoral processes goes a long way in helping create peaceful societies.
WeLead believes that development starts with young people and is accelerated when young people harness their leadership capabilities.
However, most young people have been missing in spaces that would enable them to forge a future they want and have also not been participating fully in elections.
In an interview, WeLead said it is important for youths to participate in things like elections to make a difference long term.
‘’To make a difference in the longer term, it is essential that young people participate in formal political processes and have a say in formulating today and tomorrow’s politics.
‘’Inclusive political participation is crucial to building stable and peaceful societies and developing policies that respond to the specific needs of the younger generations.
‘’Young people must be included in taking part in decision-making, in debates about key socio-economic and political issues, despite their sensitivity to the demands for social equity and justice, environmental protection, and cultural diversity.
‘’The inclusion of young people in formal political processes is important. Young people’s active contributions can bring democratic values to life, leading to the overturning of authoritarian practices,’’ WeLead said.
WeLead doing awareness campaigns
WeLead added that it is has been doing advocacy and awareness work to encourage youths to register for elections.
‘’We have been doing a lot of advocacy and awareness work encouraging young people to register to vote, turn out to vote, and stand as election candidates,’’ Said WeLead.
The organisation is also running an initiative called Youth Voter Bus that is seeking to support young people participate in electoral processes.
‘’The Youth Voter Bus is an initiative by WeLead Trust seeking to support youth leadership and advocacy in democratic processes in Zimbabwe.
‘’Through advocacy, collaboration, and awareness, the Youth Voter Bus seeks to contribute to a more conducive youth-friendly environment for credible elections and increase youth participation (especially young women) in electoral processes,’’ WeLead added.
#ElectionsZW: Youth participation in elections helps build peaceful societies-WeLead
