Abstract:
The paper examines the contextual shocks increasing vulnerability among female youth in Zimbabwe's
Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts. It explores the efficacy of life skills, entrepreneurship, and vocational
training in building resilience among these vulnerable young women. The study employed a mixed-methods
approach, collecting data through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews. The findings
reveal that contextual shocks such as COVID-19, inflation, drought, natural disasters, climate change,
unemployment, political instability, and cultural beliefs significantly contribute to the vulnerability of
young women in these districts. The results highlight the importance of life skills, entrepreneurship, and
vocational training in reducing vulnerability and promoting resilience. These interventions equip young
women with crucial skills, knowledge, and information to improve livelihoods, cope with external shocks,
and adapt to changing environments. The study recommends effective strategies for building resilience,
including women's empowerment programs, financial support, increased participation in development
planning, policy implementation, stakeholder involvement, and expansion of vocational training
institutions.
