Enabling Meaningful Participation of Young Women in Decision Making

By Kupakwashe Matangira, Freya Phillips National Scholar, CSW, 2021

Kupawashe is our Freya Phillips National Scholar. She is studying a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at UNSW. Her policy paper focuses on Enabling Meaningful Participation of Young Women in Decision Making.

Executive Summary

Young women have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic (Grattan Institute, 2021, p.6). However, young women have rarely been consulted in community decision-making. The outcome of this has been policies that are unable to fully address their needs (Grattan Institute, 2021, p.3). To address this, systemic change focussed on centralising their participation in crisis decision-making is needed. This paper posits such can be achieved through the creation of a 'National Action Plan for Young Women's Meaningful Participation' premised on consultation and collaboration, coupled with the implementation of a ‘Girl’s Empowerment Fund’.

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