The MoU is a five-year action plan for the duration of the 10th Parliament. By agreeing to this long-term framework, Hivos and Parliament are guaranteeing that the pursuit of gender equality and youth inclusion will remain high on the parliamentary agenda.

A moment for representation

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Parliament, Hivos Southern Africa Regional Director Joy Mabenge described the partnership as a “pivotal moment.” He emphasized that the MoU is a concrete bridge between high-level policy and community-level empowerment.

“This agreement is not just a formality,” Joy said. “It is a commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women and youth in the political sphere. It symbolizes our shared commitment to empower these critical groups, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed in the legislative process.”

Building on a foundation of trust

The new partnership builds on years of successful collaboration on leadership, advocacy, and legislative training between Hivos, the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus, and the Youth Parliamentary Caucus. These caucuses are essential for promoting policy reforms that benefit women and youth, who have historically been underrepresented and left on the sidelines of political discourse.

Hivos will continue to develop the skills of Members of Parliament in gender responsive programs and policy making, and support platforms where they engage directly with citizens. The aim is to equip elected leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to drive progressive, inclusive governance.

From the grassroots to Parliament

Central to this collaboration is the Hivos Women Empowerment Program. The partnership will train women and young people from marginalized communities in self-advocacy and organize meetings with policy makers where they can speak up for themselves, turning policy-making spaces into inclusive forums. The MoU further extends support to parliamentary portfolio committees to ensure that new laws and oversight activities are gender responsive and representative of Zimbabwe’s diverse society.

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Jacob Mudenda, praised Hivos’ commitment to democratic governance. “Through initiatives such as the Women and Youth Leadership for Participation project, Hivos has helped cultivate vital platforms for substantive dialogue between Members of Parliament, women leaders, and young people,” he said. “It is our expectation that this renewed partnership will further strengthen the Women’s Caucus and Youth Caucus in their ongoing efforts to promote inclusive participation, advocate for equitable representation, and champion the voices of women and young people across the country.”

A call to lead

The MoU is a clear call to action: to engage, empower, and elevate women and youth in Zimbabwe’s political processes; to build a vibrant, inclusive culture of governance; and to ensure that the contributions of young people and women significantly shape the nation’s development.

For Hivos, this partnership is a direct reflection of its core values of human rights and social justice. Closing the ceremony with a vision for the years ahead, Joy Mabenge issued a reminder of what is at stake: “Together, we have the opportunity to make a transformative impact. Let us commit to a future where women and youth are not only represented but lead in shaping policies that affect their lives.”