- more than half the world’s population is under the age of 30
- nearly 90 percent of them live in developing countries
Young people are:
- the most likely to stand up against human rights abuses
- the most susceptible to being abused
According to the International Labor Organization/ ILO:
- more youth are poor or underemployed than ever before
- unemployed youth lose confidence in the society
- youth are more vulnerable to labor exploitation
"It is not so much joblessness as hopelessness that threatens our future" - Aung San Suu Kyihe
The incorporation of the youth priorities into democratic transitions during a time of global unemployment and disenfranchisement must be done!
Gender-Based Violence
- gender-based violence is a global epidemic
- disproportionately affects women and girls
- it crosses every social & economic class, ethnicity, race, religion, disability & education level
- it transcends international borders
- it's an affront to human dignity
- it increases girls’ vulnerability, threatens their health & full enjoyment of their human rights
Ensure that girls and boys live a life free from violence or threat of violence in order to reach their full potential is a mandatory action!
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- there are an estimated one billion people with disabilities worldwide
- many are young men and women, boys and girls
- they are stigmatized, relegated to the margins & treated like second-class citizens.
- 90 percent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school (UNESCO)
- some are warehoused from birth, denied a birth certificate or tragically killed
- disabled people are 3 times more likely to be victims of physical, sexual abuse and rape
- LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable to official and societal violence and discrimination
"The world ignores youth at its peril" - Hillary Clinton
It's often said:
- young people will determine the future
- they are the leaders of tomorrow
It's true! But…
- the youth also determine the present
- They are leaders of today
We should follow their lead… and… together, build a world where all people “are born free and equal in rights and dignity” - The Universal Declaration
Youth and Human Rights
