ARE WE THERE YET?

1.0 Introduction
In the face of an overwhelming economic and political environment, young people in Zimbabwe encounter a number of challenges.Young people constitute more than 68% of the population where unemployment rate currently is over 65%. HIV/AIDS and gender imbalances have remained at the core of the society and young people are the most affected now and in the future. In such a context and regardless of the fact that young people constitute over half of the population youth participation in national development has remained marginal if not insignificant. Despite their socio-economic vulnerability young people are generally neglected and in most cases regarded as rowdy touts with no experience in whatsoever field. While several projects have been embarked on to ensure involvement of young people. Most of these attempts have been merely window dressing with the role of youths remaining peripheral. This situation has created a generation of dormant young people whose voices and thoughts are not considered in local development processes. Their exploitation and abuse has been on an increase as the powerful older people take advantage of their vulnerability. Are we there yet – seeks to reaffirm the position of young people as stakeholders in national development. The project is a platform for the youth to challenge their daily encounters as well as assert the strength of their input in socio-economic and development of their communities.