Youth Space

By Tambudzai Magwenzi

Attending the generation equality forum taught me that I can participate in civic spaces across all domains, including online, and support the efforts of women and feminist human rights defenders and women peace builders including those who are Trans, intersex, non-binary to defend civic space and eliminate barriers to feminist action.

My name is Tambudzai the HER voice Fund ambassador for Zimbabwe. Earlier this year, I was part of the ambassadors that attended the Generation Equality forum online. The Generation Equality Action Coalitions are mobilizing governments, women’s, feminist and youth led organizations, international organizations, and the private sector to catalyze collective action, spark global and local conversations among generations; drive increased public and private investment; and deliver concrete progress on gender equality across generations for girls and women.

During the forum, six specific themes were being addressed by the Action Coalitions:

Gender Based Violence;

Multiple, diverse stakeholders came together to realize the vision of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and SDG targets 5.2 and 5.3, by making and implementing concrete new comprehensive commitments to address gender-based violence against women and girls in all their diversity that are survivor-centered and backed by targeted and adequate financial and political resources. Women’s Rights Organizations are recognized for their expertise, well-resourced and have capacity to drive change as leaders at all levels. Diverse voices are amplified across social and political arenas, including adolescent girls and youth.

Economic Justice and Rights;

Economic justice and rights are guaranteed for women and girls, in all their diversity, including for adolescent girls, as for men and boys. Systems and structures which are gender-responsive and ensure equitable, secure access to resources, services, participation in gender-transformative enterprise and trade. Promotion of non-discriminatory labour markets, free of violence and harassment; a care economy that equitably shares and values care and domestic work.

Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR);

Women and girls in all their diversity are empowered to exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and make autonomous decisions about their bodies free from coercion, violence, and discrimination. SRHR information, education and services are freely available, accessible, acceptable and of high-quality. Girls, women’s and feminist organizations and networks and their allies are strengthened to advance SRHR. More governments promote, protect and invest in SRHR, including as part of Universal Health Coverage.

Feminist action for climate justice;

The Coalition on Feminist Action for Climate Justice will have initiated a transition to an inclusive and regenerative green economy that recognizes the interconnectedness of climate change with issues of gender justice and protects and amplifies the voices of grassroots and indigenous communities, including frontline defenders, across social and political arenas.

Technology and innovation for Gender Equality;

Women and girls in all their diversity have equal opportunities to safely and meaningfully access, use, lead, and design technology and innovation with freedom of expression and boundless potential.

Feminist movements and leadership;

The Feminist Movement and Leadership Action Coalition is a global, innovative multi-stakeholder partnership that will catalyze collective action; spark global and local conversations among generations; drive increased public & private investment; and deliver concrete, transformative results for women and girls in all their diversity.

Visibly, there was solidarity in the voices of young feminist leaders, women's movements, activists and organizations fighting against social injustice, harmful stereotypes that reinforce discrimination and cement inequality.