Role of youth in preventing violence
By Agnes Kabonesa, youth activist, Uganda.
According to the UN population report, there will be 1.3 billion youth – which is a huge posititive force for change. Youth have a great role to play in preventing violence; working towards maintaining and promoting international peace, security and focusing on prevention rather than belated interventions.
Youth should be aware however, that they maybe targeted for exercising their human rights so there is need to empower them and this must feature clearly in action plans to end violence and grow their potential for peace, justice, development and mutual respect.
Youth groups should be put in place to promote peace, fight prejudice and injustices, the young women and men should be integrated into decision-making at local, national, regional and international levels to help foster trust between young people and decision makers. Political leaders should set an example by upholding the universal values of equality and mutual respect among all people.
Youth should reject the spirit of fear, discrimination and division among people and nations because this is poisonous to our politics and international relationships endangering our hopes of peace and building inclusive societies. Youth should be partners of government and government programs targeting youth should be age appropriate, dynamic and creative and the private sector should be encouraged to support youth programs, projects, activities and initiatives.
They must stop getting involved in violence activities like “Walk to work”, in the case of Uganda, civil wars and join rebel groups. Youth should instead use their skills, knowledge, ability, energy, intelligence and resources to transform violence in all corners. Youth should stop pitiying themselves saying, “I cannot do this, that, the other, I cannot afford doing that or help me, or me I cannot manage”. No one is born a manager of all situations, but every individual’s instinct tells them what is the right thing to do. We must all try to do something or start something; unless we start or try we will never move a step from where we are, if we don’t try or start, we will never lose, fail or succeed. We will never know what we could have changed. There is no time left so we must talk less and act more. This is the time to act - the time is now.
It takes a world to end violence but it starts with me, you and us.
About the author
Agnes is a 24-year-old Ugandan World Vision Ambassador with a special focus on child marriage. She has a bachelors degree in education and is currently volunteering with World Vision Uganda, helping to build awareness on issues related to violence against children. She is particularly passionate about the empowerment of girls and women, ending sexual abuse against children and child marriage.