Church Youth Conference Mobilises Young People Against Social Ills

More than 500 youths gathered in Harare for a United Apostolic Faith Church conference, pledging to combat child marriage, gender-based violence and substance abuse through community action (image source)

More than 500 youths drawn from all ten provinces converged in Harare for a national conference organised by the United Apostolic Faith Church, pledging to take active roles in confronting social challenges such as child marriages, gender-based violence and substance abuse. Convened under the leadership of Archbishop Busani Sibanda, the gathering positioned young people as key agents of social transformation amid rising youth-related vulnerabilities in Zimbabwe.

Addressing the conference, Archbishop Sibanda urged participants to move beyond rhetoric and assume responsibility for shaping their communities. He called on youths to become ambassadors of positive change and to stand firmly against injustices undermining society. The message was met with strong affirmation from participants, many of whom made personal commitments to act within their respective communities.

Youth pastor Shandirayi Mupfurutsa pledged to confront child marriage and support survivors of gender-based violence, saying young leaders could not remain silent while children’s futures were compromised. Brian Moyo (21), a delegate from Bulawayo, committed to taking a strong stand against drug and substance abuse, describing it as a growing threat in urban and peri-urban areas. Youth leader Linety Mukutirwa emphasised peer-to-peer education, noting that young people were best placed to reach and support others struggling with addiction without resorting to stigma.

Delegates also pledged to collaborate with government programmes addressing social challenges, highlighting the importance of partnerships between faith-based institutions, families and public authorities. Archbishop Sibanda commended the youths’ resolve, describing the conference as a moment of hope and renewal. He said sustained action and collective effort were essential to building communities rooted in dignity, responsibility and inclusion, as the conference concluded with a call for ongoing engagement beyond the event.