On 12th
August we celebrated International Youth Day (IYD) across the globe in
different ways. This was a culmination of week-long activities geared towards
having conversations on issues affecting the youth.
IYD is a day that was designated by the UN
General assembly and first celebrated in 1999 focuses on the role of youth as
essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of
challenges and problems facing the world’s youth. [Source: United Nations]
The theme
of this year’s IYD was the creation of
safe spaces for the youth. Safe spaces are places and platforms that provide and inclusive and free environment for young people to engage in
social, political, cultural, and even economic processes. This theme is closely
tied to Sustainable Development Goal 11 on making cities inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable.
Young people
are very diverse and their needs differ from community to community. They may
be facing similar challenges but the impact is felt differently. For them to be
fully involved in what’s happening in society they need to feel safe and
understood for their uniqueness.
It goes without saying that, for there to be
any meaningful development in any sector there is a need to have safe spaces for
the youth.
During International Youth Week, I had the opportunity of taking part in different
forums and conversations on safe spaces. This allowed me to recommit
to the issue of creating safe spaces for youth, especially in the attainment of
SDG 3 on good health and well-being and goal 5 on gender equality.
What are we Doing at Decent
Conversations?
Decent
Conversations is passionate about creating a platform for young people to
express themselves on matters of relationships, wellness, and sexual
reproductive health (SRH). We have conversations that society is not willing to
have yet they affect us every day.
We hold
monthly and quarterly forums focusing on relationships, wellness, and SRH where
young people get a chance to speak openly as well as get guidance from
professionals.
In addition,
we are currently running a 90 days life transformation program for Young and
Single mothers who later join a support group. We are also establishing a program for youth
out of school that will focus on our 3 key areas as well as offer them life
skills training.
To reach all generations we are establishing School clubs and University chapters
targeting those between the ages of 12 to 23. We also offer coaching and counseling services to people of all ages and we incorporate life skills
training in all our programs.
In conclusion,
we have also created safe spaces in the digital space through our blog, podcast, and Twitter & Facebook community where we share information and interact with our
audience. Everyone deserves a safe space and we do our best to create these
spaces for the youth.
Let's keep the conversation alive by commenting and sharing our
thoughts. Get in touch with us at 0786404432.
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