KATHMANDU, Aug 12: When we say or talk about youth empowerment, it’s often taken for granted and nothing much happens in the decision making level.
Yes, we are young, we love having fun because this is our time and age but that doesn’t mean that we are not serious enough to do something worthwhile and give back to the community and the country.
We are here to make a difference, bring about change that we all talk about but don’t work towards it. We are here to stay! But when are we going to be taken seriously?
As everyone across the globe celebrates this day as “Youth Day”, the youths of almost all the countries are yet to be empowered.
Sociological empowerment often addresses members of groups who are social discriminated and are excluded from the decision-making process.
Empowerment as a methodology is often associated with youth empowerment. Each major political party and social organizations these days have statements supporting the youth empowerment but where exactly is it leading really?
Almost every political party boasts a youth wing and same goes with the social organizations. Empowering youth is recognizing their potential and energy, polishing their skills and capacity and utilizing the power by providing them the opportunities.
In Nepal, there is youth power but the irony is that it is not being utilized for the benefit of the society and the country. Political parties are in a way exploiting the youth energy in demolition, violence, strikes, and riots.
The main problem for youth these days in Nepal is unemployment and thus, most of them are migrating to foreign lands seeking for better opportunities. But instead of providing them with employment, our leaders are taking advantage of their joblessness and using their energy to benefit themselves.
International Youth day is a festival for all youths and an opportunity for the political parties to show their interests in us. Celebrating youth power only on this day, however, does not bring any difference.
Every nation should make an attempt of recognizing and celebrating youth power throughout the year making each day Youth day.
Sashi Rai is a recent graduate in Development Studies from Kathmandu University and is a member of Activista, a youth network of ActionAid.
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