CLOSING EVENT OF THE YOUTH POLICY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN IN UTTAR PRADESH

11th December, Gandhi Bhawan, Lucknow

“Youth Rights as Human Rights” was the chant of the youth who were participating in the closing ceremony of the 28 days “Uttar Pradesh Youth Policy Advocacy Campaign”. This campaign was run in 35 districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Hon’ble Labour Minister, Mr. Badshah Singh.,Chief Guest stated, “As most of our population is not urban, we need to look to the rural youth to play a vital role in development. Our government is always ready to work for youth and to help them get their rights”. He also promised to work for youth and supported the need for a Youth Policy in the state. The event was organized at the venue decorated with expressive banners drawn by the participants; approximately 200 youth , representing 11 districts attended the closing event along with their parents, Panchayat representatives, Teachers, and Media people.. The youth shared the achievements and challenges they faced while garnering support for the Youth Policy during the campaign activities in their respective districts over the past month. Some spoke from the heart, some sang, also a ‘street play’ was performed addressing many of the Youth Policy Issues. The programme ended with the youth releasing balloons while raising slogans of their demands for a Youth Policy. Music and dance ensued.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS PER THE YUVA NITI PAIROKARI ABHIYAAN

As a follow up to the earlier posts on this blog, here we are to encapsulate the ongoing activities as a part of the campaign being carried out to publicize the draft of the youth policy and gather support on it. We shall keep you updated as the campaign proceeds.

The campaign was successfully launched on the 13th November with a press conference being organized at the Press Club. thereafter the activities have increased manifolds and the support gathered has been humongous so far. The activities have been happening at both- state and district levels. the media has been there throughout to capture the efforts of the youth taken in the direction of their own welfare. The various national and international days falling between the time frame of 13th November and 11th December, have been celebrated with overwhelming spirits and were related to the issues covered under the policy to find each one of them a suitable platform for a well founded discussion and gathering support thereafter. The activities include street plays, signature campaigns, puppet shows, various competitions, hand bills distribution and others. The partner organizations and other network institutions have been very cooperative and have aided the youth in all their endeavors. Some of the activities have been cited below to take you to a ride of the volley of such events and functions which are being held across Uttar Pradesh.

STATE LEVEL ACTIVITIES

7th December, Press conference with political parties' youth representatives, UP Press Club

The initiative to formulate the Youth policy in Uttar Pradesh was well acknowledged and deeply appreciated by the youth representatives of various political parties. They actively took part in the discussion and came forward making some valuable suggestions. Some of the reactions of the political leaders were- “Though we all represent different political parties, we should forget our party line and come forward for youth development in Uttar Pradesh.”; “Our constitution grants youth many rights, but to ensure all these rights and to avail themselves of the offered programmes there is an urgent need for a Youth Policy in Uttar Pradesh.”; “For better implementation of this Youth Policy there should be a Youth Commission.” Thus all in all, the entire event was a success and their opinions were of utmost essence.

Present at this meeting were: NGO:; AALI, HUMSAFAR, Pt.G.B. PANT, FPI and SAHAYOG; Ms. Sunita Shiddhartha Shankar.

The snapshots of the press conference are available here.

3^rd December, Pragati Park, Kapoorthala, Aliganj

The day marked twenty five years of the sufferings of those affected by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. They have been exposed to such trauma post the catastrophe, justice hasn’t happened still, most of them haven’t been compensated monetarily. In order to express their grief and vehement opposition to the same, a candle march was organized, placards were displayed, and slogans were called out, by the youth, voluntary organizations, to prevent such epidemics from occurring again.

The students from IMS, Lucknow University, FPAI, Asha Ashram, Mahila Swasthya Adhikaar Manch, MASVAW, Youth for Change, and other partner organizations.

The photos of the same event can be seen here

2^nd December, Bakshi ka Talab

In order to spread the clauses of the draft of the youth policy, a street play was held, which conveyed the essentials of the UP youth policy. Following the same, when we went ahead asking the youth for their feedback, one of the same needs mention, wherein an individual wanted to put in his views but was unable to do the same, owing to the fact that he was educated till class 5^th only. This highlights the miserable condition of the provision for education to the youth, which on paper states that the education is compulsory and free to the children between the ages of 6 to 14 years. There were around 300 people present during the street play, who also were keenly interested in placing their views and expressing their support. The education clause in the youth policy talks about a more coherent system which would include information on health, social issues, issues like what is the right age of marriage, reproducing and other matters of importance.

1^st December, Lucknow University

A street play was organized by the youth to spread the essentials of the youth policy and the message was well conveyed as it saw support in huge numbers. The pictures of the same can been seen here

27^th November, Lucknow Mahotsava

At a signature camp organized on 27^th November, Utkarsh Sinha, a social worker, expressed that despite the changes being observed, there are stark ground realities which are miserable. We talk of equality and equitability on one hand, and on the other hand still discrimination prevails. The entire society needs to come together if we really intend to ensure existential equality. UP has a huge number of youth, who are different in various aspects. To ensure equality, the government should ensure participation of youth to let them voice their concerns. Also to oppose the violence against women, hand bills were distributed and posters were displayed. The aim was to make the individuals available of the Women Protection act, 2005, to stop the increasing violence against women.

The representatives of various voluntary organizations, other networks, social workers from Lucknow University, media, and students were a part of this event.

The photos of the same can be seen here

20th November, Shashi Bhushan Degree College, A.P.Sen Degree College

The colleges observed the debate competitions being organized, the topics of which were centered on issues related to the lack of necessary facilities required by the youth and in the same direction, for the need of the youth policy in the state. Also there was a signature campaign organised at the Daliganj Mela, which gathered support marvellously.

The clips of the competitions have been uploaded here.

19^th November, Buddha Bazaar, Nishatganj

On the eve of the International Day against Child Abuse, members of Yuva Niti Pairokari Abhiyaan organized a rally, displaying posters demanding a Youth Policy. Parents were supportive and conveyed that there is an immediate need for the youth policy in UP. 12% of the total crimes against children perpetrated in India occur in UP, and UP is ranked the third highest among states in child abuse. 29.4% of al child victims of homicide occur in UP. Very few legal or psychological provisions exist for children, even the condition of education provision is miserable qualitatively and quantitatively. This campaign which continues till 10^th December will highlight and address issues from around the State which need to be explored and incorporated in Youth Policy.

The photos of the same can be seen here

DISTRICT LEVEL ACTIVITIES

25^th November, Muzzafarnagar

To mark the anti violence day against women, the youth representatives went ahead meeting with the S.S.P., S.P., and D.M. There they voiced their concerns and the problems like eve teasing, which have become the order of the day. Rajiv Malhotra, SSP, was extremely cooperative and listened patiently to the entire discourse and extended his full support in person. They even met the probationary officers and it was heartening to find his overwhelming support.

24^th November, Greenfields Modern School, Muzzafarnagar

Astitva, a voluntary organization, in order to oppose the gender discrimination, organized various competitions with the girls from classes 9^th and 10^th from the same school. The girls from another organization, Prerna, also took part in the same wholeheartedly. It was a successful event and the information on the draft of the youth policy could be fully conveyed and support successfully gathered.

21^st November, Purkazi

A meeting was organized wherein the Muslim women took part along with the women from Jharkhand, and discussed the clauses of the draft of the youth policy. They expressed their concerns over the human trafficking done and the extortions they have to bear thereafter. Also, various other issues of vital importance were also discussed and after they were satisfied that their concerns have been done justice with in the draft, they extended their support.

19^th November, Junior High School, Purkazi

A Youth Carnival was organized by one of the voluntary organizations, Astitva, wherein the boys as well as girls took part in huge numbers. The draft of the youth policy was well publicized and owing to the large gathering, the information could well be conveyed to many of them in the district. They sang many songs, took part in plays, and extended their support by being a part of the signature campaign.

16^th November, Vaseda

A meeting was organized by a voluntary organization, Astitva, to discuss the draft of the youth policy, its shortcomings, if any. The youth and the ladies took part in a good number and brought forward their opinions on the same. They also extended their full support and appreciated the initiative taken.

14^th November, Purkazi

On the eve of Children’s day, a function was organized in three schools, by Astitva, a voluntary organization, in the presence of village Pradhan, chairman, teachers’ sabhasad, doctors, principals of the schools and others. Those present actively took part in the event and expressed their opinions on the draft of the youth policy, thereafter conceding to lend their support on the same initiative.

LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE FRAMING OF YOUTH POLICY IN UTTAR PRADESH, STARTING 13TH NOVEMBER, 2009

Launching of the Campaing "Yuva Niti Pairokari Abhiyan "

13th November-10th December, 2009

YOUTH FOR CHANGE A 28 days campaign named "Yuva Niti Parokari Abhiyan" was launched on 13th November, 2009 at Press Club, Lucknow, where 80 media people were present apart from youth and eminent persons. The programme was organised by Media Nest. A poster demanding Youth Policy in Uttar Pradesh was launched on this occassion. Please see link

In Uttar Pradesh, youth represent more than six million of the population, aged between 15 and 24 years. Despite forming such a big portion of the state population, there haven't been required policies framed that shall help in the development of youth, and those existing aren't really able to benefit the youth because of the approachability and implementational lags. The main motive behind the formation of youth policy in UP is to be able to work with youth, make them aware of various vital issues affecting them directly or indirectly, gathering their inputs on the same, and also to make provisions for their basic rights so that their participation increases at each level. This will provide them with the opportunity for their holistic development, be it personal, educational, financial, social or political aspect; to infuse optimism in their approach, and thus utilizing their potential for the development of the state.

Youth for Change Programme, which has now been working for three years, focusing on the issue of Youth sexual and reproductive health, in ten districts of UP, plans to launch a campaign on 13th November, 2009, also at the state level, a meeting highlighting the same issues will be organised on the 10th December, 2009.

Youth from various voluntary organisations, students from colleges, universities; NGOs and esteemed intellectuals from relevant fields are expected to be a part of this campaign. Each individual who is alive to his rights and obligations, shall be a part of the same, As a part of this campaign, the feedback of the youth, through various mediums, shall be collected for further consideration, on various issues like education, health and nutrition, livelihood training and entrepreneurship, violence, gender, social security, citizenship and participation, identity and equality, social justice, sports.

In this direction, the official launch of the campaign to gather support from the youth on the youth policy, was was carried out on 13th November, 2009, in the form of a press conference, where all partner organizations and media personnel were present to mark the event.

Following is the link to the glimpse of the same event, please see here

It is expected of you all to be a part of this campaign, which is by the youth, for the youth, thereby supporting us in taking this voice forward to the government, and providing it the appropriate pace and direction to be able to make a difference to the society.

For Photographs please see link

For further details, see www.sahayogindia.org

and orkut community, see here

District Level Dialogue on International Youth Day 12th August

Youth for Change celebrated International Youth Day (12th of August) while having district level dialogues in 9 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Different stakeholders including teachers, health service providers, elected representatives, parents, media, block level officials attended the event. Finding of a need assessment study on Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights was shared. This study was done with 1003 youth and other stakeholders. Present stakeholders were agreed on the findings and said youth really need health services. Apart from the sharing of findings of the study, youth also performed street plays, puppet shows and songs on different issues. In one-two districts youth also took out rally. The whole dialogue was anchored by youth. A demand letter was faxed to Hon’ble Chief Minister for asking a Youth Policy in Uttar Pradesh.

A Study Sharing of YSRHR on World Population Day

On occasion of World Population Day finding of need assessment study on Youth sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights was shared with media and other state level stakeholders. According to the study findings, during puberty only 3.23% of females between of 19 to 24 years of age.

Qualitative study showed that every stakeholder including teacher, health service providers and parents said youth need both information and services. Health service providers said schools are the appropriate place to provide information while teachers think they are not in a position to provide detailed information, they think hospitals are the proper place, Parents also think that school should take responsibility of giving sexuality education.

For photographs click here

Youth Leader Exposure Visit

To promote youth leadership an exposure visit was organized from 23rd -26th June, 09. Total 44 youth visited two organisation based in Uttarakhand State named VIMARSH and SUCHETNA. VIMARSH is based in Nainital District, works for gender issue in the community and schools, while forming Gender Cells in schools. SUCHETNA works in two States Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand while running 15 such centres for youth development. Youth visited in a few villages of their working areas and had group discussions with youth of different districts. Youth share about their problems and also initiatives which they took to deal with their problems. Youth had the opportunity to analyse different situation in two states. Youth were very impressed to see girls mobility and leadership in Uttarakhand, they felt in Uttar Pradesh girls don't have mobility and right to decide specially about right to choice, even it is also not that easy for boys in Uttar Pradesh.

To see more photographs Youth Leader Exposure visit 23-26 June 09">click here

Uttar Pradesh State Level Dialogue

World Health Day: Youth Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights

For demanding Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights a state level dialogue was organised on 6th April on the eve of World Health day. Representatives from different youth related departments i.e. Education Directorate, Health Directorate, Acadmicians from different educatinal Institutions, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Nehru Yuwa Kendra, State and National Level issue experts and media gathered together to discuss the youth situation and the need for their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rigths in Uttar Pradesh. Leadership youth from 10 districts shared their experience and damanded immediated action for three main issues such as for stopping underage marriages, providing sexuality education in school curriculum, and availabilty of Sexual and reproductive health services including counselling at Public Health Centres. Youth said "They need Sex education as it is the topic which they are not permitted to discuss with parents or others in the society, and their friends have the same knowledge therefore it is very important to think about youth, which is at present a large population. Experts realised and supported youth demands and said as there are around 6.6. million youth aged 15 to 24 years in Uttar Pradesh, so that it is important from a development perspective, so the government should think and take immediate action for the needful.

District Level Dialogue on 12th January 2009

On 12th of January 2009, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's Birthday youth had celebrated district level dialogue at 10 district of Utter Pradesh with 11 NGO partners. Objective of the district level dialogue was to generate a demand by 1500 youth related to their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right issues. Youth had given a demand letter to Chief minister of Utter Pradesh and they were demanding on the three major issue which they are facing in their society,the first one was the Prohibition of early marriage because the status of U.P. is very poor and youth are living in very miserable condition because 50 percent of the girls aged 19-24 get married in the early age. And also the ratio of boys is also very critical. The second demand was for the availability of resources and information related to youth SRHR at every Primary Health Center. And the third one which was a burning issue for our government for provision of sexuality education for youth. Different type of stake holders like parents, Chief medical officers and political leader, Anganbadi worker, ANM, ASHA, teachers participated in District level dialogue. Youth presented their issues presentation of Puppet shows, film theater, songs, speachs and many others.

For pictures releted to District Dialogue Download from here