ADDRESSING ISSUES OF EQUITY INYOUTH DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES IN

ACHIEVING THE MDGs

DELIA BARCELONA,SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISER, UNFPA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT, MEXICO

OCTOBER 2004

MDGs Targeting Young PeopleBy 2015:

Goal 1: Halve the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a dayGoal 2: Ensure that boys and girls alike will be able to complete primary schoolingGoal 3: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education Goal 5: Reduce by three-quarters the maternal mortality ratioGoal 6: Have halted and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS Goal 8: Develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth

In 2004 – Four Years after the Millennium Declaration

Millions of young people live in povertyAlmost half of the world's youth (15-24) live in low-income countries One in four of all youth (15-24) live on less than $1 a dayPoor young people have the least access to health, education and employment opportunities Poverty, underdevelopment and illiteracy are principal contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDSSignificant numbers feel that their concerns and voices are adequately seen, heard or acted upon by those who have power, resources and decision-making authority

So what does EQUITY have to do with reaching the MDGs related to young

people?

The Alexandria Declaration…on EQUITYTO PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL TO REALIZE

THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. EDUCATION, HEALTH AND NUTRITION ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED,THE RURAL AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN SOCIETY,AND ABOVE ALL, TO YOUNG WOMEN, WHETHER IN EDUCATION OR WHEN ENTERING THE LABOUR FORCE FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WHO IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD STILL SUFFER FROM DISCRIMINATORY BARRIERS. NO SOCIETY HAS TRULY ADVANCED BY DEPRIVING ITSELF OF THE TALENTS AND ABILITIES OF HALF OF ITS POPULATION.

EQUITY MEANS… FAIRNESS EQUAL RIGHTS TO OPPORTUNITIES CONSIDERS ONE’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

CONTEXT GENDER SENSITIVE NON-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES POSITIVE ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY

SOME EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN HEALTHo EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CAREo GENDER SENSITIVE BUDGETSo NON-JUDGMENTAL TREATMENT,

ESPECIALLY OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH

EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORKNON-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICESGENDER SENSITIVE BENEFITS MERIT BASED

EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN EDUCATIONo ADDRESSING GAPS IN ENROLMENT, RETENTION

AND COMPLETION RATESo IMPROVING QUALITY, SAFETY AND SECURITY,

ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLSo ERADICATING STEREOTYPES, BIASES IN THE

CURRICULUM AND MATERIALSo GENDER SENSITIVE LANGUAGE AND CONTENTSo STRENGTHENING LINKS TO PRODUCTIVE

EMPLOYMENT

EQUALITY MEANS…EQUAL RIGHTS PROMOTED,

RECOGNIZED AND FULFILLED IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE

REGARDLESS OF SEX, AGE, CONDITIONS, RELIGION, ETHNICITY….

EQUITY IS A STEP TOWARDS

EQUALITY

Guiding Principles in Youth Programming

Safeguard the rights of young peopleRespond to the differing needs and perspectives of boys and girlsRespond to the diversity of young people;Promote youth participation in planning, implementation and evaluationPromote youth leadership and strengthen capacities of young peopleAddress socio-cultural diversityDevelop programmes based on knowledge and experienceBuild partnerships plan and aim for sustainability

By adopting culturally sensitive approaches to promote human rights standards and principles, UNFPA is not making value

judgements on any cultural values held by communities or groups, rather it is addressing harmful practices that represent violations of

international standards of human rights.

A human rights perspective affirms that the rights of girls to freedom from discrimination and the highest standard of health are universal.

Thoraya A. ObaidExecutive Director, UNFPA