It is Possible! Empowering Youths Voice at ward Level
In a remote and rural ward of Chisano in Mlimba District, a dedicated Peer Educator (PE) took on the challenge of advocating for youth representatives at the Ward Development Council (WDC)(WDC). Determined to make a change, the PE took on a mission to secure a seat for youth representatives in the ward council.
The drive for the PE to advocate for youth representative at WDC was lack of youth representation in the ward council. Moreover, decisions were being made without considering youth’s needs and perspectives, leading to disconnect between youths and local government development activities. This absence of youth representatives at the ward development council results in youths SRHR needs not being given priority, underutilization of youths contribution to community development, and policies made that are not youth-centered.
Identifying the need for youth representation at WDC, PE and also a young person of Mlimba District, had a meeting with Y&WLC project coordinator Mr. Robert Chanja from Y&WLC called Mofu Rothenburg located in Mlimba DC, discussed the challenge of the absence of youth representatives at ward level, and agreed on a solution to the challenge that they should conduct awareness Campaigns by developing advocacy questions and submitting them to decision-makers at the ward level demanding youth seats at WDC. The advocacy question developed described the problem, the impact of not having youth representatives at ward level, and the demand for the ward to establish youth days at ward level and the WDC to allow youth representatives at WDC meetings.
A dedicated PE, Vaileth Chamla from Chisano Ward, took the SMART Advocacy Ask to the ward level; the WDC meeting had already passed; hence, she took the initiative to go directly to the Ward Executive Officer (WEO) and delivered the SMART Advocacy Ask and requested for an invitation to attend the next WDC meeting. The WEO received the SMART Advocacy Ask and immediately read the SMART Advocacy Ask to see youth’s demands written in the SMART Advocacy Ask. He then told The PE that the SMART Advocacy Ask would be submitted to the Ward Councilor as he is the chairman of the WDC meeting.
Peer educators conducted close monitoring with the ward executive officer and finally she was invited to participate in the WDC meeting in January 2024. Through that session, she was able to read the SMART advocacy Ask to all members of the council and submitted the SMART Advocacy Ask to decision-makers at the WDC meeting.
Her effort paid off at last. The decision-makers bought the idea of a youth representative at the WDC meeting, and therefore, a youth representative was officially appointed to the ward council. As a result, Youth Participation in community activities and governance increased, fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility.
“At first, I thought it would not be possible to have a youth representative at WDC in our ward, but persistent advocacy has enabled us to now have a youth representative at our WDC,” said Vaileth PE Chisano Mlimba.
This achievement entails that persistence pays off. Consistent and dedicated efforts can lead to significant changes. In Chisano ward, there was no youth representative at WDC, but a dedicated PE persistently followed up on the delivered SMART Advocacy Ask, which resulted in the official appointment of a youth representative at the WDC meeting.
