Social Accountability Research – A study of the Young Women Working Groups in Bulawayo, Bindura, Gwanda and Kadoma Districts

Introduction
The Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) is currently implementing a programme entitled “Creating Demand for Devolution by Young Women”. It seeks to empower young women to lead advocacy efforts calling for devolution within their communities. Devolution, which is provided for in Section 264 of the Zimbabwe Constitution, enables citizens to have greater agency in effecting better, autonomous representation, which, in turn, will ensure better accountability. Under the project, six community-working groups were formed made up mainly of young women between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. Amongst the objectives of the working group is to hold duty bearers to account on the use of public resources and delivery of services to citizens.

Study objectives
The overall project goal is young women who actively use Section 264 of the Constitution to demand devolved development in their communities. The specific objectives are:

• To enhance the capacity of young women to expand their network of allies to engage with duty bearers on issues of local social accountability for improved transparency and accountability by 2021.
• Facilitate policy dialogues and engagements at local level, linking communities and solution holders in the implementation of a localised devolution agenda by 2021

This research study focuses on documenting the success or challenges of the campaign for social accountability through the young women community working groups and their interaction with duty bearers and other stakeholders in the districts of Kadoma, Bindura, Gwanda and Bulawayo. The research study also captures service delivery challenges faced in these communities highlighting coping mechanisms used by young women, opportunities and recommendations.

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Source: Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU)