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.