Junior parliamentarians in Harare Metropolitan recently convened a meeting with their Minister of State, Charles Tawengwa, to discuss pressing issues and seek his assistance. This was the first such gathering since the junior parliamentarians’ inauguration, providing them a valuable opportunity to directly engage with Minister Tawengwa and voice their concerns.
According to Nannette Mazonde, the Junior Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan, the key problems raised during the meeting included child marriages, drug abuse, and the lack of adequate resources for girls during menstruation. “We have several issues to be addressed,” Mazonde stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions.
Mazonde highlighted the challenges faced by girls in her constituency, noting that many miss school due to the inability to afford proper menstrual products. She expressed the hope that the government and the corporate sector would support the provision of reusable sanitary pads and educate the community on their use.
The junior minister of Information and Communication Technology, Christabel Bahera, advocated for the expansion of vocational training centers to equip children with practical skills in fields such as carpentry, cosmetology, and construction. “I suggest that there should be more vocational training centres in order for children to be taught different practicals taking cognisance of the importance of diversifying educational opportunities,” she said.
Minister Tawengwa welcomed the junior parliamentarians and promised to address the issues raised. He granted them permission to take necessary action within their constituencies, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling these problems.
He also spoke about the need to combat drug abuse, urging the junior parliamentarians to report any cases of substance abuse and informing them of the government’s plan to repurpose COVID-19 isolation centers into rehabilitation facilities to support affected youth.
The minister acknowledged that the concerns raised by the junior parliamentarians are on the national agenda, with ongoing debates in Parliament aimed at finding solutions.
This meeting between the junior parliamentarians and the Minister of State marked a significant step in empowering young leaders and addressing the pressing needs of communities within Harare Metropolitan.
Add comment