Youth Leadership in Nutrition: Empowering Child Parliamentarians and Junior Councillors in Zimbabwe

On the 30th of October 2024, the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC) conducted a capacity-building session for Child Parliamentarians and Junior Councillors in Murehwa District, Mashonaland East. This event aimed to achieve several key objectives:

  1. To orient Junior MPs and Councillors on key food and nutrition security policies, strategies and concepts.
  2. To develop skills and knowledge in Advocacy and communication for food and nutrition security issues.
  3. To develop synergies and networks between Junior MPs and Councillors with other stakeholders at national, provincial and district levels.
  4. To activate interest in the formation of School Nutrition Clubs and a SUN Youth Leaders for Nutrition Network.

By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the session sought to engage and empower youth in the critical area of food and nutrition security.

Participants

       Members of the Murehwa Junior Council.

The capacity building session was attended by Child Parliamentarians, Junior Councillors, members of the Murehwa District Food and Nutrition Security Committee (DFNSC), the Zimbabwe Youth Council, the Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) and the Food and Nutrition Council. A total of 28 children participated with 10 males and 18 females.

Key Highlights from the Session

Opening Remarks

Junior Parliamentarian Honourable Anesu Mupfumbati following proceedings.

The session commenced with welcoming remarks from Mr Chiguvare, Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC) for Murehwa District. He emphasised the importance of active participation from youth in community development. Honourable Anesu Mupfumbati, a Junior Parliamentarian, expressed gratitude for the session’s relevance to their roles and responsibilities in representing their communities.

Understanding Food and Nutrition Security

Ms Mavis Dembedza, the FNC Food and Nutrition Advisor, provided an overview of the food and nutrition security policy environment, outlining the Government’s commitment to ensuring food security for all citizens. Following her presentation, Ms Tatenda Mafunga, FNC Nutrition Officer, introduced key nutrition concepts, focusing on the critical issue of stunting that affects many children in Zimbabwe.

Ms Mavis Dembedza, FNC Food and Nutrition Advisor giving an overview of the food and nutrition security policy environment.

Ms Tatenda Mafunga, FNC Nutrition Officer, expressing a point during her presentation.

The SUN Movement and Youth Engagement

Fadzayi Nyaguse former Junior Parliamentarian and Nutrition Advocate giving some words of encouragement to the participants.

With a solid foundation in the food and nutrition policy environment, participants were introduced to the SUN Movement by Mr Joel Chipfuwamuti from ZCSOSUNA. He discussed the movement’s networks, objectives and key achievements. The participants also had the privilege of hearing from Ms Fadzayi Nyaguse, a former Junior Parliamentarian who successfully established Nutrition Clubs in schools in Hatcliffe, Harare.. Sharing her personal journey, Fadzayi connected with the young attendees by discussing the challenges she faced and how she overcame them. She highlighted the numerous opportunities that arose from her involvement in the nutrition sector, encouraging participants to take initiative and assuring them that progress would lead to further opportunities. The session was engaging and interactive, with participants posing many questions.

The Role of Junior Councils

Ms M Banda, FNC Multisectoral Coordination Unit (MCU) Deputy Director, led a discussion on the critical role of Junior Councils in multi-sectoral food and nutrition security programming. She provided examples of successful interventions aimed at improving food security for children and emphasised how youths can advocate for their issues during planning sessions.

Ms M Banda, FNC MCU Deputy Director taking the participants through her presentation.

Advocacy and Communication

The final session, led by Ms Agnes Chigunde, Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) Programmes Officer, focused on the importance of effective advocacy and communication in driving community development. Participants learned about key advocacy concepts and the necessity of being well-informed to influence nutrition policies effectively.

Lessons Learned

The session highlighted several important takeaways:

Active Participation: The enthusiasm and insights from youth participants showcased their potential as impactful nutrition advocates.

Engagement and Collaboration: Interactive discussions fostered collaboration and allowed participants to share their perspectives on nutrition challenges.

Desire for More Interaction: Feedback indicated a strong interest in more interactive elements such as games and activities to enhance learning experiences.

Conclusion and Recommendations

We are pleased to report that the session successfully empowered young individuals to become advocates within their communities. Continuous engagement with these youth is vital, particularly through the DFNSCs and other initiatives.

As the Food and Nutrition Council, we believe that empowering our youth is critical for the future of food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe. They are not merely the future; they are the present and their voices must be integral in shaping policies that affect their lives and communities. Together, we can cultivate a healthier, more secure future for all Zimbabweans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/by