Youth Perception of Participation in Decision-Making In Local Communities in Urban Tanzania: The Case of Dar es Salaam City Council

Abstract

The youth represent one-quarter of the world’s population and one-third of the population in developing nations. It is predicted that  Africa’s youth will continue to grow for the next fifty years, whereas those on the other continents are ageing. The youth are an asset to  community development processes when they are positively supported to be active citizens. Support will enable them to participate in  decisionmaking at all levels to ensure sustainable development in local communities. Despite the fact that participation is a fundamental  human right, whereby all people have the right to participate in making decisions directly affecting their lives, studies show that there is a  low level of youth participation in decision-making at local levels in urban areas. This study used focus group discussions and  questionnaires to collect data from a sample of 407 youths in the Dar es Salaam City Council to find the perceptions of youth on  participation; and why there is a low level of youth participation in decision-making among urban youth. The results revealed that the youth have misconceptions about what participation in decision-making means. Though the majority agreed that their participation is  important in their communities, and that they would like to be involved in decision-making processes, they had little awareness of the  existing development programs in their communities and how decisions were made. The study concluded that urban youth were not  aware of government guidelines and policies that advocate for youth participation in decision-making in their communities. Hence, it  recommends that local government authorities should motivate and promote participation among the urban youth through awareness  training programs and involving the youth in different local activities. Reducing misconceptions about participation in decision-making  needs to be prioritized for all youth. In addition, there is a need for decision-making mentorship at the local level by creating good youth- adult relationships.