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Kudakwashe Chidziya Manicaland Correspondent

YOUTHS in Mutare have said the Youth Commission that Government intends to set up to address their concerns should be led by young people who have a better understanding of what affects them.

This came up during the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation public consultations on the setting up of a Youth Commission in Mutare on Monday.

The youths claimed most activities involving young people were being spearheaded by people who no longer qualify to be classified as youths, saying this was the reason most projects failed to take off as the intended beneficiaries were not included.

The committee is holding consultations across the country until next week as it seeks to gather views on how the Youth Commission should be structured.

Chairman of the portfolio committee Cde Mathious Tongofa said the commission would address issues affecting youths.

He said for genuine impact, the commission required to be anchored on strong legislation.

“There is supposed to be strong legislation to support the Youth Commission to claim whatever they need,” said Cde Tongofa.

“For instance, it is easy for women to lobby for equality because they are supported by the law which stipulates equal opportunities for both men and women.

“There is need to craft specific laws for youths so that the commission makes requests based on legislative provisions.”

Cde Tongofa said the commission has to be financially capacitated so that it becomes more viable and to expand its reach.

“The commission is not only for the urban youths, it incorporates all youths hence there is need for resources to take these hearings to the rural areas as well. The intended reach has to start at village level, ward level right up to the province,” he said.