This panel will explore advocacy narratives that encourage youth political participation in the region and to what extent these efforts have translated into effective youth representation.

The panel will case study the South African Election of 2024 and the Zimbabwean elections of 2023 and will give insight into youth voter turn out and the overall sentiments of youth concerning electoral fairness, credibility and importance.

The panel will also explore sentiments from advocacy initiatives such as The Menu from AL South Africa, Arts4Change from AL Zimbabwe and initiatives from Restless Development on encouraging youth participation and their resultant effects. 

The session will conclude by sharing reflections on advocacy efforts targeted at youths in different contexts and best practices from other countries on how to capitalize on the youth demographic’s agency. 

* For more information, please contact Carl Muropa Makomborero (makomborero@accountabilitylab.org