On the opening day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence the Resident Representative of UNFPA in Mozambique, Bérangère Böell, delivered remarks to youth parliamentarians during the IV Youth Parliamentarian Forum to highlight key issues impacting youth today. This annual forum provides a platform for dialogue and partnership to ensure that the rights of young people are protected and realized.
UNFPA’s Representative congratulated the Parliament on efforts to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people through the recently-enacted child marriage law, and by increasing youth leadership through the establishment of a Youth Parliamentarian Cabinet and the adoption of the African Union Youth Charter.
During the event, Olivia Matavele, President of the Youth Parliamentarian Cabinet, highlighted challenges faced by Mozambican youth and reinforced the role of the cabinet to ensure the implementation of such laws.
The Youth Parliamentarian Forum is an annual event where the Youth Parliament Cabinet convenes partners to discuss youth-focused issues and develop a work plan to oversee progress and implementation in areas linked to programs, policies, and planning.
Engaging young Mozambicans in the Review of the National Development Strategy (ENDE)
The pinnacle for the IV Youth Parliamentarian Forum was the presentation of the Youth National Consultation Report by the National Youth Council (CNJ), which feeds into the country’s National Development Strategy. The Youth Consultation report highlights the concerns of young people, including issues related to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, and will be officially adopted into the ENDE - a north star for Government policies and investments.
This youth-focused policy document is of particular importance considering that young people under the age of 25 constitute two-thirds of the population in Mozambique (2017 Census). This youth bulge enables the country to benefit from the rewards of demographic dividend, whereby investment is made in the education, employment and empowerment of youth. By doing so, young people play a critical role in investing in - and helping define - the socio-economic development and future of the country.
The National Consultation process for the ENDE was kicked off by His Excellency Engineer Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Mozambique, in September 2021. The youth consultation portion, launched by the Ministry of Economy and Finance with support from UNFPA, involved more than 100 youth-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) from 5 provinces.
The process included active participation of diverse youth groups, including organizations focused on persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+ rights, among others. Female and male mentors from the UNFPA-supported youth programs, Rapariga Biz, My Choice, Global Programme to End Child Marriage and the Spotlight Initiative, were also involved.
Advancing youth-driven solutions across the nation
In Tete province, young female mentors from the My Choice Program, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, took part in the consultations. One mentor, Luiza, raised the need to sensitize boys, men and the community in general. “There are no issues that are only “girl issues” alone and we should deal with child marriage and other harmful practices together,” she exclaimed!
Luiza added, “we would like to have a development policy that takes into account our particular concerns. For example, access to sanitization and school lunches [are important] to ensure that girls do not abandon school in the early grades.”
When addressing the report at the Youth Parliamentary Forum, the 2nd Vice-President of the CNJ, Sonia Bila, reinforced that the document should not be restricted to the ENDE, but should be considered a window into the voice of Mozambican youth.
A future built on a foundation of evidence-based planning and decision making
In addition to the youth report, UNFPA presented a youth thematic study at the Parliamentary Forum, developed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) with data based on the 2017 Census. This report provides the evidence needed to help identify gaps, review trends and identify where investment is needed most.
The Youth Thematic Study and the ENDE Report are part of UNFPA’s focus to ensure the meaningful participation of youth at different decision-making levels.
Linked to the 16 days of Activism campaign, the Youth Parliamentary Forum and the earlier nation-wide youth consultations reinforced the notion that when youth are empowered and given the right opportunities, they are effective drivers of change. Working with diverse youth groups and advocates and leaders, UNFPA remains committed to working alongside young people to ensure they have the platform, opportunities and skills to bring to life the future they desire.
Link to the ENDE Youth Report in English and Portuguese: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1D8VsAIxQ1fZCHL9HvxxEGWPfAkKP6buT
