Peacebuilding Agency among the Youth in the High-Density Suburb of Mbare, Zimbabwe

This article critically examines the imperative to promote agency among youth to foster sustainable peace in the high-density urban suburb of Mbare in Harare, Zimbabwe, where high levels of youth violence occur. Youth without a voice in decision-making processes allows for alienation, exploitation,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAfrican Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 7 - 28
Main Authors Zvaita, Gilbert, Kaye, Sylvia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Sabinet Online 01.08.2023
Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd
Subjects
Actors
Actresses
Analysis
Blame
Civil society
Decision making
Density
Exploitation
Manipulation
Peace
Politics
Social aspects
Social inequality
Sustainability
Teenagers
Unemployment
Violence
Youth
Zimbabwe
Africa
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Summary:This article critically examines the imperative to promote agency among youth to foster sustainable peace in the high-density urban suburb of Mbare in Harare, Zimbabwe, where high levels of youth violence occur. Youth without a voice in decision-making processes allows for alienation, exploitation, and violence. The data in this article were collected from in-depth interviews (n=20) with youth in Mbare, political leaders, and civil society actors on the perceived factors that have been influencing youth violence and the possible solutions that can be engaged towards youth peacebuilding agency in the community. A qualitative thematic analysis was used, and the findings revealed that youth are not entirely to blame for the continuity of violence. The study identifies different structural challenges and conditions that often influence the behavioural actions of youth in Mbare. These challenges include political manipulation, social inequalities and injustices, unemployment, and exclusion from key political and economic decision-making processes. The participants' suggestions strongly highlighted the need for initiatives that can harness young people's social and economic abilities to contribute to sustainable peace practices and solutions. Keywords: Youth, Peacebuilding, Agency, Sustainable Peace, Positive Peace
ISSN:2634-3657
2634-3665
DOI:10.31920/2634-3665/2023/v12n2a1