Radio prg on Youth in Pakistan – issues & challenges

http://yourlisten.com/samreen.ghauri.5/radio-prg-on-youth-issues-broadcast-from-pbc-samreen-ghauri

Youth SHRH issues- Translation of Radio prg

Radio prg on Youth in Pakistan – issues & challenges – SRHR (sexual reproductive health rights) status among youth Adolescent issues & role of society – Radio program broadcast from PBC

Discussion with youth activist, community workers and doctor

Pakistan currently has the largest cohort of young people in its history and subsequent cohorts are projected to be even larger. More than half of Pakistan’s population comprises of individuals less than twenty years and 25 million aged 15-24. This huge populace includes young adolescents and youth full of energy, oozing with enthusiasm and patriotism with a brain full of ideas, a heart filled with sensitivity and a mind bursting with dreams of a brighter tomorrow for self, the community and the country.
The robust bodies and able minds of today’s Pakistani youth however remain unbridled, unguided and without a clear vision for life and opportunities for the application of their energies for a greater cause or community service. The consequent agitated, frustrated soul in the unstructured and chaotic environment where morals and values are fast getting diluted finds solace in negative pursuits in the absence of leadership, a level playfield of opportunities and tangible well-defined roles and activities. On the other hand is a fairly large section of the society of the old, the underprivileged, the impoverished victims, who for one reason or another find themselves abandoned, sick and unsaved. These forsaken and deserted individuals fight a loosing battle of their dignity and self-esteem as silent spectators at the mercy of insensitive relatives and an indifferent community that has no institutions for their care, patronage, protection or guardianship. These abandoned souls were once useful, productive potent members of our community but today are without a fixed abode, are lonely and without any economic, social or emotional support. Then are the sick and wounded in hospitals, the bonded laborers, the children without opportunities for learning and the victims of violence and exploitation.

To empower the youth of Pakistan with the ability to understand the importance of their role in community services and to nurture their leadership qualities. There is a dire need to train and nurture leadership, citizenship and ability for governance in youth. There should to develop character and strengthen moral fiber in the youth. 5. to foster tolerance, moderation, ingenuity and self reliance. 6. To inculcate democratic values in the youth of Pakistan.

Time to invest in young people sexual and reproductive health to ensure their well-being & healthy and skilled workforce eventually leading to improved quality of life and economic development re-visit

Youth experience many challenges; an earlier onset of puberty, SRHR (sexual reproductive health rights) status of young people in Pakistan is the traditional and socio-cultural set of beliefs that frown upon any discussion of sexuality issues with young people

It is very important that the youth of Pakistan capitalizes the opportunities there are. There is an array of hope that the country would break the shackles and progress forth.

At independence, Pakistan had 32.5 million people; currently it has over 166 million, five times as many making it the sixth most populous country in the world.

It is adding a million every three months and its population could reach 295 million by 2050 if efforts are not made to decelerate the growth rate. These alarming population statistics are serving as the greatest hurdle in achieving development targets despite considerable development interventions in Pakistan. Pakistan currently has the largest group of young people (ages 10 – 24) in its history with nearly 54.2 million individuals – above half of its population. (Population Reference Bureau: 2007 World Population Datasheet)

Today’s youth experience many challenges; an earlier onset of puberty and sexual activity; often have no knowledge about their sexuality and consequences of their sexual behaviors; have high risks of pregnancy and abortion; are victims of sexual violence, exploitation, prostitution, discrimination and crisis. Besides that they generally lack appropriate life skills in order to cope with social and economic pressures and make informed, responsible choices which puts them at high risk to substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs) and also expose them to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.

A large number of young populations in Pakistan are living on the margins of society due to many deteriorating socio economic factors. These homeless young people are often the casualties of an economic crisis, displacement due to war/conflict, poverty, loss of traditional values, domestic violence, and broken homes, physical and mental abuse.  Their continuous exposure to the harsh environment of the streets and the lack of a safe place and visible means of support increases exponentially their risks of sexual exploitation, drug usage, unsafe sexual practices and contracting STDs especially HIV.  This projection of youth population statistics call for enhanced programmatic measures to address young people’s vulnerabilities and empowering them to be agents of change for development and eventually breaking the cycle of poverty in Pakistan.

A major factor contributing to the poor SRHR status of young people in Pakistan is the traditional and socio-cultural set of beliefs that frown upon any discussion of sexuality issues with young people. Despite the inclusion of youth as an integral part in National Population Policy and National Reproductive Health Strategy, the intervention programs in line with these policies are still silent on issues regarding sexuality education for youth and availability of youth-friendly health services.

Pakistan is a signatory of conventions including International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994, the Beijing Conference 1995 and the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) outlined at the UN Millennium Summit 2001 that prioritize issues of adolescence sexual and reproductive health mainly including the promotion of responsible and healthy reproductive and sexual behaviors. Enabling youth to acquire necessary life skills regarding SRHR without discrimination is a crucial instrument in reaching many of the MDGs particularly those on poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality and gender equality.

In Pakistan, the prevailing government programmers focus reproductive health and more precisely family planning issues that somehow serve the young married people. Besides this, very few programs address the issues of young people’s sexual health and rights. The National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS states youth as a priority area especially the street youth because of the increasing rates of HIV infection among the young members of the society during the last few years. The major cause of this increase in infection has been lack of right information on issues regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights among young people.

There is a tremendous need to expand the SRHR interventions to all segments of the young population already vulnerable and potentially vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health malpractices. Now is the time to invest in young people’s sexual and reproductive health to ensure their well-being and of the entire generation contributing to a healthy and skilled workforce eventually leading to improved quality of life and economic development.

Life-Skills Based Education is critical in Pakistan without discrimination against gender or socio-economic group as a priority area in meeting the challenges of SRHR sector effectively. The education level of young population in Pakistan, who are soon to be the adults and decision makers of this society, is inadequate to equip them for their future responsibilities. Life Skills Education not only develops the skills and knowledge of young people about responding positively to health challenges but also develops their self-esteem and confidence concerning their body and rights. The wholesome effects of life skills program can then be felt with a general improvement in the family and community atmosphere.

The youth of Pakistan are the vital element to initiating change, Pakistani youth emerging new concepts with such a brilliant concepts like e-really, e-office. The e- revolution, internet networking site and info activism is become the popular avenue for protest. Pakistan youth alliance, Pakistan youth movement, youth parliament, youth assemblies. There are no separated programs or policies for disadvantaged, half-educated, socially-excluded youth in Pakistan.

Enormous talent, intelligence and positive energy are being wasted as these young people are being left behind. Millions of young people are growing up without any hope and desire in life and are falling into disaster’s way.
It is stressed that the necessary actions taken in the field of SRHR improvement can put the developing countries like Pakistan on the road towards achieving international development targets and produce results in improving the quality of people’s lives in the short and long terms.