Students’ and youth issues transcend national boundaries, making regional collaboration essential for their full empowerment, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Solomon Mhlanga, has said.

Mhlanga made the remarks on Tuesday, the second day of the two-day 15th National Students Conference held at the Harare Institute of Technology.

Running under the theme “A Crystal Vision for Students’ Health and Education,” the conference — organised by SAYWHAT with support from various partners — drew participants from Zimbabwe and across Southern Africa.

“As we celebrate this crystal vision, I am pleased that this gathering has transcended national boundaries,” Mhlanga said.

“The presence of young people from partner countries — Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia — reminds us that the challenges students and youth face are not confined by borders. They are regional challenges that require regional solidarity and shared solutions. Your presence here enriches this dialogue and strengthens our collective commitment to youth empowerment across Southern Africa.”

He added that his ministry stands with students in Zimbabwe and the SADC region, “working together towards a common vision of health, education, dignity and opportunity.”

Mhlanga commended SAYWHAT for convening the conference, noting that the discussions align with the recently launched National Youth Empowerment Strategy.

“Your focus on building a healthy youth population is greatly appreciated,” he said. “We are committed to addressing the silent crisis affecting our campuses and communities to improve health and education outcomes where every young person can learn and live without fear.”

He said presentations by young people revealed courage and clarity in articulating the challenges they face, especially regarding digital dignity and mental health.

“I am reminded, yet again, that our youth are not passive recipients of policy, but architects of Zimbabwe’s future. Your efforts to demand better health and education outcomes will benefit generations of young people to come.

“Importantly, today’s discourse resonates with our national development vision and the upcoming National Development Strategy 2, as well as global Sustainable Development Goals. You have demonstrated that you are co-creators of Zimbabwe’s future. Your energy, creativity and resilience form the foundation of national transformation.”

Mhlanga also said the ministry believes strongly in digital dignity and is committed to ensuring safe and equitable access to technology while protecting young people from online harm.

“We understand the correlation between digital dignity, gender-based violence, drug and substance abuse, and mental health,” he said. “We reaffirm our commitment to working with you to address these issues.

“The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training is strengthening vocational training programmes to equip young people with skills for a dynamic economy. We are collaborating with other ministries to integrate mental health services into youth programmes and expand access.”

He added that the ministry is advancing digital literacy initiatives to ensure technology becomes “a tool for empowerment, not exploitation.”

He further said the ministry remains steadfast in supporting the fight against gender-based violence, in alignment with regional and global strategies.

“Beyond these efforts, we pledge to explore policy reforms and partnerships that amplify student-led innovations and research,” he said. 

“Your voices will inform these actions. Our mandate is clear — to unlock the potential of every young person in Zimbabwe and protect your well-being as you pursue your dreams, education and national contributions.

“But government cannot do this alone. The challenges you have outlined require collective responsibility. Development partners, civil society and the private sector must join hands with us. Let us invest in youth-led solutions, scale emerging innovations and create safe, inclusive spaces for learning and growth.”

Harare Institute of Technology Pro Vice Chancellor, Willard Gwarimbo, said the conference demonstrated that student voices can influence national discourse on health, education and gender equality.

He added that students are now innovators and partners in national development.

“Their well-being — mental, social and academic — is fundamental to driving industrialisation and technological growth,” he said. 

“We must acknowledge the pressing challenge of drug and substance abuse, which continues to destroy young lives and undermine national productivity. This crisis demands a coordinated response involving prevention, rehabilitation, community engagement and strong policy support.”

He said the conference provided a timely platform for practical solutions for government, institutions and development partners.

Canada’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Adler Aristilde, echoed similar sentiments, saying the conference was timely as it coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

“We reaffirm on this day a shared vision — a Zimbabwe and a world where every young person is healthy and safe,” he said.

He highlighted worrying statistics: “One in three women in Zimbabwe experiences physical violence, and one in four experiences sexual violence. Sexual harassment remains widespread in colleges, yet reporting mechanisms are often absent.

“Mental health concerns are rising — over 35 percent of university students face depression or anxiety, but only 16 percent access mental health services, while economic stress and substance abuse compound the crisis. Ninety percent of students report a lack of institutional mental health support.”

Aristilde reiterated Canada’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence, mental health challenges and digital harm, stressing that a holistic approach is essential for student well-being and national development.