Farai Dziva|Masvingo based NGO, COTRAD, has denounced the persecution of women and youths in politics.

COTRAD, in collaboration with Sabhuku Vharazipi, produced a video clip on harassment and persecution of women and youths in communities.

See statement below:

Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) in collaboration with Ziya Cultural Arts Trust produced a video skit which encourages youths and women to peacefully and actively participate in community development, electoral processes.

The Video footage also unpacks COTRAD Community Score Cards and how they are being used to monitor and evaluate community development programmes and the performance of public officials in addressing social service delivery and other community needs.

COTRAD official Kupfuwa Ishmael says the video footage is premised on the assumption that the youth and women remain excluded from local development committees and initiatives.

Where opportunities exist for the youth and women to participate in development, an atmosphere of intimidation discourages them from meaningful engagement.

Further, a disproportionate focus on elections compared to other political and economic interventions has undermined interests in other platforms or opportunities for youth and women participation.

Therefore the video footage seeks to promote the participation of youth and women in all development initiatives in communities where they come from.