The executive
director of the Youth Empowerment Organization (YEO) has called for more
involvement of young people in the decision-making processes and activities
related to governance.
"Despite
the constitutional guarantees, youth still face significant barriers, including
limited access to information, socio-cultural norms that discourage their
participation, and lack of platforms for engagement," said Daniel Mwaka at
a community sensitization and awareness on youth participation in democracy
workshop in Juba at the weekend.
"These
marginalizations result in a lack of youth representation in decision-making,
hindering sustainable development and fostering social unrest."
In South
Sudan, youth, aged 18 to 35, make up most of the population.
However, high
illiteracy, poverty, and insecurity, limit youth opportunities in
self-employment and hinder their participation in governance and leadership.
Mwaka stated
that youth participation strengthens transparency, accountability, and trust in
government.
The event, in
collaboration with UNMISS, aimed to empower youth on governance and human
rights, raising awareness of constitutional rights and providing tools for
active civic participation.
A key
suggestion from youth participants was to establish a Youth Advisory Council at
local and regional levels for direct communication with government officials.
"We must
encourage youth participation and engagement in constructive conversations
about political issues that will help us to develop critical thinking and
communication skills and establish a youth advisory council to allow young
people to voice their concerns and provide input on policy matters,” Mwaka
emphasized.
He echoed the
urgency for youth involvement in governance.
"As
young people, now it's not the time for us to sit down and fold our hands. We
must ensure that our voices are heard and that we are part of any process that
is happening in this country,” he added.