The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed, have encouraged African youths to be involved in the development of the continent.
The deputy secretary made the call at the African Youth Development Summit.
She noted that though the continent has highest number of youths, there exist so many challenges facing youths.
Highlighting some of the challenges, she said, “In some countries, young people are confronted by conflict and terrorism. In others, they suffer the effects of economic exclusion and growing inequalities, deprived of quality education, skills and health services.”
She continued, “Perhaps most damaging of all, young people are witnessing the manmade destruction of our natural environment.”
Mohammed stated that with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, youths now have the road maps to drive local and global change.
She also stressed that the United Nations, with the Youth 2030 campaign, will partner and strengthen youths “participation in society, their ability to secure employment, the realization of their rights and their role as agents of peace in fragile contexts.”
She added that the campaign will highlight access to education and health services, as well as climate action.
“Campaigns promoting access to sexual and reproductive health services are tackling important issues like menstrual health, that have been a taboo subject for far too long”, she said
Ms Mohammed noted that 2030 campaign will also torchlight menstrual health, while educating both boys and girls on menstrual hygiene.
“Lack of support for menstrual health can keep girls out of school and the workplace and out of leadership roles, with devastating consequences that can last lifetimes and across generations. It contributes to discrimination and to the marginalization of women and girls.
“Educating both girls and boys about menstruation as a normal biological process is the first step towards addressing these issues.”
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