Kabul, Afghanistan 21st August - About 500 young Afghans around the country gathered today at the Radio and Television Afghanistan Conference Hall to celebrate the International Youth Day 2013 with ‘Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward' as theme. International Youth day is celebrated each year with a different theme. In Afghanistan, the issue of migration is complex and multi-faceted and presents both challenges and opportunities, thus this year's theme was timely and relevant. Given the fact that the average age for 50% of the total population in Afghanistan is 16 years old, the issue of migration has to be looked at from the specific impact it has on children, adolescents and youth.
Kabul, 21st August 2013 - About 500 young Afghans around the country gathered today at the Radio and Television Afghanistan Conference Hall to celebrate the International Youth Day 2013 with ‘Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward' as theme. International Youth day is celebrated each year with a different theme. In Afghanistan, the issue of migration is complex and multi-faceted and presents both challenges and opportunities, thus this year's theme was timely and relevant. Given the fact that the average age for 50% of the total population in Afghanistan is 16 years old, the issue of migration has to be looked at from the specific impact it has on children, adolescents and youth.
"The focus on youth migration as theme on this year's International Youth Day should make decision makers to re-assess policies and measures implemented in Afghanistan to manage migration and protect the vulnerable youth, especially young women, from discrimination, lack of access to basic social services, sexual and other health risks and lack of support networks", said Mohammad Younus Payab, UNFPA Assistant Country Representative. He added that UNFPA, through its commitment to youth development and empowerment will continue to work collaboratively with its partners in the government and international community in upholding the rights of young people, and especially for marginalized groups and adolescent girls.
The celebration hosted by the Deputy Ministry of Youth Affairs and its partners from the international community such as the UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, UNESCO, IOM, ILO and UNV brought together all relevant stakeholders to discuss a way forward and raise public awareness on turning regulated migration into better opportunities for Afghan young women and men.
"As the number of young people migrating through both regular and irregular channels has risen, safe and regular migration must be promoted to reduce the risk of exploitation and abuse. Sharing information on migration options is essential, because it increases awareness and enables young people to make well informed decisions." Message sent from IOM Director General William Lacy Swing on the occasion of International Youth Day.
"The event was organized in multiple parts which included a round table discussion. During the discussion on youth migration the panelists put forward multiple recommendations on better coordination in relation to youth migration identifying research gaps and potential areas for cooperation.
"Young people make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants worldwide. In 2010, there were an estimated 27 million international young migrants. Although those figures are not available for Afghanistan, migration can certainly offer valuable opportunities and contribute to the development of the nearly 500,000 Afghan youths who expect to enter the labor market every year, as long as it is accompanied with strong regulations to avoid low skill cheap labor leading to unacceptable situations, including discrimination and exploitation. The gathering today aims to raise awareness about opportunities and risks associated with youth migration, and more specifically labor migration from an ILO perspective, share knowledge and information stemming from recent research and analysis on this topic, and engage young people in discussions on their migration experiences." Said, Celine Lafoucriere, ILO OIC.
For more information:
Deputy Ministry of Youth Affairs: Mustafa Sayedi 0700217101
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ahmadullah Amarkhil, amarkhil@unfpa.org, 0700263232
