CALL FOR LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT ENABLE EFFECTIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Realizing that youths are a positive force to transformative social change and economic development, there is need for stakeholders to come together and push for effective legal framework that support their sustainable participation and engagement at local levels. The national developments that have seen the önalization and signing of the 3rd Youth Policy are recognized as a positive step towards youth empowerment thus if such policies are fully implemented.
It is worth noting that the calls for youth empowerment have been ongoing for decades and it is high time such processes are devolved to local levels where the majority of the young people are located. Participation is a central component of good governance which is a key ingredient in social and economic development. As a youth concerned organisation, it is our call that local government institutions at the aforementioned levels should localize the National Youth Policy and promote a culture of youth participation in local decision-making spaces.
Lack of youth participation in critical sectors limit their development and inøuence in pushing for youth friendly services and policies. It is worrisome that relegation of youth to the periphery of decision making continues despite the energy and commitment displayed by the youths to be more engaged in public life for them to be authors of decisions relating to their socio political and economic needs. Notable, there is mutual feeling among the youths across the province on the need for a comprehensive legal framework that promote institutionalization of youth participation and engagement so as to remove that political tag that is always associated with advocacy. At the same time, young people are of the opinion that their inclusion in formal decision-making spaces from local to national level is important and feeds into the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
This calls for an effective implementation plan of the youth quota provided for in the 3rd National Youth Policy. The plan should be made public for accountability purposes and easy to follow up. CYDT also calls upon the government to consider amending the constitution such that it provides for the youth quota so that youth participation in public spaces and decision making becomes a constitutional matter. We also call upon for uniöed efforts in creating safe spaces for youth effective participation for it is necessary for overcoming a generational gap that is very much present within all social, economic and political spaces.
About CYDT
CYDT is a community-based organization working towards creating a safe space for youth engagement and participation since 2012, when it was established. Our vision is to inspire and empower young women and men so that they reach their potentials. We empower youths with knowledge and skills to make a difference in local and national development processes based on three advocacy priority pillars enshrined in our strategic documents that include governance and participation, youth health and wellbeing (SRHR) and Youth Livelihood Support.