2018 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH.
By Benjamin Ngutsav
The theme for this year's youth international day is 'Safe Space for Youth.' This theme is borne out of the fact that there are relatively no safe spaces for youths to galvanize their participation towards nation building.
These spaces advocated by the United Nations to be safe include, civic spaces, public spaces, digital spaces, physical spaces.
Civic spaces enable youth to engage in governance issues; public spaces afford youth the opportunity to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community. Also, digital spaces help youth interact virtually across borders with everyone; and well planned physical spaces can help accommodate the needs of diverse youth especially those vulnerable to marginalization or violence.
One of the essences for a safe space for the youth is inclusiveness where youth from diverse backgrounds especially those from outside the local community, need to be assured of respect and self-worth.
In the same vein, it is to ensure that youth from different race/ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation or cultural background do not feel intimidated to freely contribute to the community.
Closely related, is to give youth a voice, for example in humanitarian or conflict-prone settings, where they may lack the space to fully express themselves without feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome.
According to the United Nations, youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision-making processes and freely express themselves. Also, safe spaces are to ensure the dignity and safety of youth.
It also states that when youth have safe spaces to engage, they can effectively contribute to development, including peace and social cohesion.
It concluded that when youth have safe spaces to engage, they can effectively contribute to development, including peace and social cohesion.
The plea is simple, let the political/civic space be free for youth to contest for elections. Let the economic, academic, etc. spaces be free for the youth to have their voices heard.
Youths are the next generation developers and idea shapers who direly need these spaces safe for a safer and better generation.
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