Zimbabwe: Youth rights revolutionized to break community barriers

My name is Dino Mpofu, Junior Councilor for Ward 13 under Chirumanzu Rural District Council in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province. I come from a community where young people especially girls have long struggled against deeply rooted barriers: early marriages, drug and substance abuse, rape, poor sanitation, overcrowded schools, water shortages and extreme poverty. These challenges made our youth vulnerable, disempowered, and often silent. As a Junior Council, our mission is to use available resources to uplift young people, with a particular focus on girls who are more vulnerable to inequality, violence and exploitation. 

In our community, drug abuse was rampant, affecting especially boys who lacked guidance and opportunities. Girls, on the other hand, often turned to early marriages as a desperate coping mechanism. Homes were overcrowded and sanitation was poor. Many families fetched water from polluted rivers or dams. Rape cases were increasing, becoming a devastating crisis. Youth were losing hope, schools lacked capacity, and the community desperately needed intervention. 

This is the story of how youth leadership, community mobilization and structured engagement began shifting these realities. Before our interventions, the situation was critical. Young girls were being pushed into early marriages because of poverty and lack of options. Boys were drowning in drug abuse and risky behaviors. Schools were overcrowded, and lack of safe water sources created constant exposure to disease. Dumpsites and litter filled public spaces, affecting both health and community pride. 

The environment fostered frustration, fear, and hopelessness. Youth had no platforms to express themselves or influence change. Violence and exploitation were growing concerns, especially for girls who faced sexual violence and emotional abuse. In the midst of this crisis, the Junior Council was established to give youth a meaningful voice and allow them to participate in shaping their own future. The transformation has been significant. Through the Junior Council, youth engagement became closer, active and impactful. For the first time, young people felt represented and supported. We organized awareness campaigns focused on: 

These campaigns led to a noticeable reduction in early marriages and drug misuse. Youth started approaching us for guidance, counselling and support. Awareness raised confidence and helped restore self belief among girls and boys. The Junior Council also led community based projects such as cleanup campaigns, road rehabilitation initiatives, school support programs and one-on-one youth dialogues. Through these, the community became more vigilant, health conscious and united around the need for safe, clean and supportive environments. 

The introduction of the Junior Council created leadership opportunities for youth, enabling them to influence service delivery, participate in planning meetings and shape local development agendas. Young people are now involved in skills development activities in schools and vocational centers, helping them escape poverty and build futures grounded in knowledge and resilience. This change was achieved through structured activities and persistent advocacy. 
We held training sessions for Junior Councilors, developed action plans, and implemented outreach programs across Chirumanzu. 

Pictures, meeting minutes and strategic plans document the depth of this work including the 2025–2030 strategic planning process and the induction meeting held in Masvingo. Before intervention, the community was overwhelmed with early pregnancies, drugs, and violence. Through commitment, strategic engagement, and resilience, the Junior Council managed to reduce these cases in a short period. Youth began leading by example taking initiative, speaking out, and mobilizing their peers. 

We also partnered with organizations and local authorities to secure printed Tshirts for antidrug campaigns, run awareness events, and capture our progress in video formats. These partnerships strengthened the visibility and credibility of our work. Pass rates in schools improved as youth found renewed motivation. Community participation increased. Families saw the value of youth empowerment, and young people slowly started breaking free from the limitations of poverty. 

Dino Mpofu, Zimbabwe

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