UNICEF Zimbabwe has begun nationwide consultations with children and young people to inform its new three year country programme set to run from 2026-2029, placing youth voices at the centre of policy and programme design.
The engagement targets children and young people aged between 10 and 24 and is expected to shape priorities and interventions that directly respond to their lived realities.
In a statement yesterday, UNICEF Zimbabwe said, “The consultations are meant to ensure that the next country programme is guided by the voices, needs and aspirations of children and young people themselves.
“Meaningful participation is critical to building inclusive and responsive development programmes. Insights gathered will directly influence how resources are allocated and how interventions are designed over the next four years,” UNICEF Zimbabwe added
According to UNICEF Zimbabwe, young people identified several key priorities during the consultations.
“Children identified key priorities which included the need for stronger education systems and life skills development, protection from violence, universal birth registration, improved access to nutritious and healthy foods, disaster preparedness and safety, as well as the inclusion of underserved communities.
“Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring children with disabilities are not left behind in national development efforts,”UNICEF Zimbabwe said
The consultations brought together a diverse group of participants drawn from all provinces, including child parliamentarians, junior councillors, students and out-of-school youth.
UNICEF Zimbabwe said this broad representation was intentional to ensure that the programme reflects the realities of children in different settings, including rural and urban areas, as well as those facing heightened vulnerability.
“These engagements will help ensure that our next country programme is inclusive, empowering and responsive to the real challenges children and adolescents face across Zimbabwe,” UNICEF Zimbabwe said
Former Child President Pious Lwandile Nleya, who participated in the process, described the consultation as a significant milestone.
“I had the privilege to attend the UNICEF Zimbabwe Situational Analysis of children and adolescents, and this was an important moment that will help shape and frame the UNICEF Zimbabwe 2026–2029 country programme. I am humbled to have been amongst those present,” Nleya said
Meanwhile, UNICEF Zimbabwe said outcomes from the situational analysis and consultations will directly inform the design, priorities and implementation framework of its 2026–2029 Country Programme, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and reflect the expressed needs of children and adolescents across the country.
