Image: New York Times.
Introduction
In the global discourse on peace and security, the role of youth is often highlighted as crucial. The Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda, enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2250, recognizes the potential of young people in shaping a peaceful and a resilient future. However, in conflict-ridden Afghanistan, the voices of youth remain largely unheard and unheeded. This blog post aims to shed light on the struggles of Afghan youth, whose aspirations for peace and security are systematically stifled.
Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda An overview
Youth Peace and Security (YPS) emphasizes the need for inclusive policies that incorporate young people in peacebuilding processes. UNSC Resolution 2250, adopted in 2015, underscores the vital contributions of youth to peace efforts and the necessity of their involvement in decision-making processes.
The Situation of Afghan Youth
Afghanistan's youth have grown up amid relentless conflict, facing immense challenges. Prolonged war has disrupted education, leaving many young Afghans without basic literacy skills. Schools have been destroyed, teachers have fled, and families are often too afraid to send their children to the remaining schools due to the constant threat of attacks. The education system, once a pathway to opportunity and advancement, has become a symbol of the nation's instability.
Unemployment is rampant, pushing youth into economic precarity. Many young Afghans are unable to find decent work, forcing them into informal or precarious jobs that offer little security or prospects for the future. This economic instability contributes to a cycle of poverty and limits their ability to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation's reconstruction efforts. The lack of job opportunities also makes them vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups, who offer financial incentives to join their ranks.
Additionally, the constant threat of violence permeates their daily lives, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty after the Taliban occupation in 2021. The re-emergence of the Taliban has intensified the sense of insecurity, with many young people witnessing or experiencing violence firsthand. Bombings, targeted killings, and ongoing clashes between Taliban fighters and other armed groups are a daily reality. This pervasive violence has profound psychological impacts, leading to widespread trauma and mental health issues among the youth.
Youth with the capacity to contribute more meaningfully to reconciliation are struggling due to the lack of opportunities. Many young Afghans possess the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to drive positive change and foster reconciliation within their communities. However, the oppressive political climate, combined with limited access to resources and platforms, stifles their potential. Initiatives that could harness their energy and ideas are underfunded and unsupported, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected from the peacebuilding processes that directly affect their future.
The international community's focus on high-level diplomatic talks often overlooks the grassroots efforts led by young people, further marginalizing their voices. Moreover, societal norms that devalue the contributions of the younger generation exacerbate this exclusion, perpetuating a cycle where youth are seen but not heard. This systemic marginalization not only denies young Afghans the opportunity to shape their country's future but also deprives Afghanistan of the innovative solutions and fresh perspectives that its youth can offer.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to invest in education, create economic opportunities, and ensure the safety and security of young people. It also necessitates a shift in cultural attitudes to recognize and value the contributions of youth, empowering them to participate fully in the peace and reconciliation processes. Only by integrating their voices and perspectives can Afghanistan hope to build a sustainable and inclusive future.
The Denial of Afghan Youth Voices
Neglected perspectives of young people face the formidable barrier of governmental structures, exacerbating their exclusion. Policies shaping national and local governance lack the consideration of innovative ideas youth could offer. These are dynamic and imaginative minds! We seek avenues to contribute to policy formation, possibly enact reforms, or evaluate progress. However, our pleas are met with deafening silence, rendering it challenging for Afghan youth to exert influence on their daily lives and future prospects. Undervalued and unheard, youthful perspectives are relegated to obscurity, essentially stifling the political and social ecosystem. Children harbor dreams and aspirations aligning with those of their peers globally. Envision the potential benefits if such dreams were channeled into crafting effective policies encompassing various societal aspects! The voices of young people represent the missing piece, wielding influence and leaving a profound impact. However, such influence remains unattainable in the absence of infrastructure fostering novel perspectives. This constitutes the epitome of deprivation. Insufficient guidance from institutions and apathy towards youth participation in dialogues have resulted in the marginalization of a significant demographic. Closer examination of this political behavior reveals alarming signs of distress. It lacks concrete progress. Young individuals are denied opportunities to engage in broader societal interactions, influence decisions, and consequently, limit their personal and overall development. The government's failure to embrace youth participation represents a disservice to the collective progress, growth, and prosperity of the nation. The ultimate price is borne by these adolescents, experiencing diminished well-being due to the lack of dialogue encouraging their participation in social and political discourse. This reflects the disintegration of the social fabric. They are the ones who should have uplifted the nation's power, eager for future progress to embrace progressive politics, carrying forward the country's goals, and ensuring its continued advancement. Their hopes are shattered, resulting in the absence of fresh perspectives, despite the potential to recreate a system driven by youth movements.
Repudiation is exhibited through disparate principles and events where youth representation at peace dialogues is rigorously limited. Disavowal manifests, for instance, at peace deliberations demarcated as pivotal, such as those between the Taliban and the Afghan Government in Doha meeting. Perspicuously, Young representatives are never displayed. Authenticity and comprehensiveness have borne the brunt of this involuntary exclusion. Unsurprisingly, a prospect aperture sealed on the aspect of assimilating novel thought processes and ingenious solutions that could have been infused by the youth.
Proof that young individuals are frequently excluded from conversations related to peace can be discerned in the manner in which they are supported financially, as resources are seldom allocated to youth-led efforts and organizations. Their funding is usually inadequate and does not permit them to sustain their endeavors or expand effective ventures. Moreover, foreign donors and organizations focused on development often prioritize diplomatic interactions at a senior level over local youth activities. This approach may neglect the significant impacts young people can have in activities aimed at consolidating peace. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Peacebuilding is capable of being bolstered by young people, although their contributions are often disregarded in the process. This, however, is not a recent phenomenon, as it seems to be the standard practice.
The part of Afghan youth in shaping the outlines of lasting peace and fostering eternal reunification cannot be overstated. Their omission from dialogues leads to the suppression and suffocation of the origins of stable peace. When we exclude them, disappointment and detachment spread, and the path to radicalization and violence attracts more followers, driven by the frustration and lack of possibilities they face.
Unified exertion is an imperative. The youthful viewpoint must be incorporated with peacemaking at all echelons. To realize this elusive undertaking, we implore formal protocols for youthful involvement during peace negotiations, advocating for amplified funding and assets towards activities and ventures initiated and led by young individuals. May we take a respite to withstand the duress of societal norms entrenched in perceiving youthful input as less meritorious than adults'? When this triumph is accomplished, then Afghanistan may be nearer to capitalizing on the spark of ingenuity, resolve, and unwaveringness in its youthful phase to establish a comprehensive and perpetual kind of peace.
The Taliban’s Regime and its Impact on Afghan Youth
From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban imposed severe restrictions on Afghan youth, severely impacting their lives and futures. The regime's oppressive policies targeted young people, suppressing educational, social, and cultural opportunities. The Taliban's control led to detrimental outcomes that extended well beyond their initial intentions. The period after the Taliban's fall saw increased vulnerability and exploitation of Afghan youth, with significant reports of sexual violence used as a coercive tactic by armed groups. Post-Taliban Occupation in 2024, youth are further marginalised by denying them their voice and education.
Conclusion
The future of Afghanistan's peace and security depends on the inclusion of its youth. By recognizing and amplifying their voices, stakeholders can harness the potential of Afghan youth to build a more peaceful and secure nation. It is imperative that we take collective action to ensure their contributions are not only acknowledged but actively sought.
Call to Action
Support initiatives that empower Afghan youth. Get involved with organizations advocating for youth participation in peace and security. Together, we can ensure that the voices of Afghan youth are no longer silenced.
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