- No health without mental health and gender equality
Support for young people’s mental health must be prioritized in COVID-19 recovery plans. There is an urgent need to support young people to manage the impact of lockdowns on their mental health.
The impact of lockdowns should not be underestimated. Isolation and loneliness have taken its toll on the minds of all young people. 90 per cent of young people have reported increased mental anxiety during the pandemic.
It is crucial that governments and policy makers around the world ensure that there is sufficient support for young people in this area and increase awareness of the issue and risks.
The impact of the pandemic has delayed the march for gender equality. It has exposed all forms of violence experienced by women and girls and especially marginalized genders, the lack of basic reproductive and sexual rights and policies around safety and digital use. These are all issues that the Global Youth Mobilization will champion.
- Bridging the digital divide and community development
Young people at the Summit recognized the power of digital activism in advocating for change and bringing communities closer together. The pandemic has inspired young people to innovate and become creative about the ways they support each other and the communities around them – both in person, and online.
The Global Youth Mobilization will be advocating to enable more young people to engage in decision-making in communities, address the digital divide and ensure all communities are connected, regardless of where they are in the world.
- Education and skills development for the new normal – investment, innovation and prioritization for non-formal education and learning
-
The future has never been more uncertain for young people, especially when it comes to education and employment. This is particularly acute for the most marginalized and at risk in our societies. More than one billion students in almost every country have been impacted by school closures; 80 per cent of young women are worried about their future; and one in six young people worldwide have lost their jobs during the pandemic.[1]
Young people have adapted to the new normal and need to be ready for a new and ever-changing job market. However, education systems and institutions of learning at all levels remain behind the curve and are at risk of letting young people down because of a lack of support, investment and innovation. They must be supported to adapt quickly and work to address inequalities that are widening because of the pandemic.