Empowering Adolescents and Youth in Pakistan as Partners in Innovation for Development PDF

EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN AS PARTNERS IN INNOVATION FOR DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS SOCIAL EQUALITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND POLITICAL AGENCY Supported by The Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, in partnership with UNDP and U...

EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN AS PARTNERS IN INNOVATION FOR DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS SOCIAL EQUALITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND POLITICAL AGENCY Supported by The Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, in partnership with UNDP and UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Offices. EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN AS PARTNERS IN INNOVATION FOR DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS SOCIAL EQUALITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND POLITICAL AGENCY Publication date: JULY, 2021 Prepared by BEYOND GROUP beyondgroupconsulting.com For UNICEF REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH ASIA Working in partnership with UNDP and UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Offices UNICEF - PAKISTAN COUNTRY OFFICE Street No. 05, Diplomatic Enclave, Sector G5 Islamabad, 4405 Tel: +92-51-2097700, +92-51-8705100 Fax: +92-51-2097799 UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT FUND - PAKISTAN Serena Business Complex, 4th floor, Khayaban-e-Suharwardy Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: +92-51-835 5600 Fax: +92-51-2600254-5 UNFPA - PAKISTAN COUNTRY OFFICE Serena Business Complex, 2th floor, Khayaban-e-Suharwardy Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: +92-51-8355615 3 © United Nations Children’s Fund Publication Date: July 2021 EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN AS PARTNERS IN INNOVATION FOR DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS SOCIAL EQUALITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND POLITICAL AGENCY Address: UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) P.O. 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Thank you for supporting UNICEF. 4 TABLE OF CONTENT LIST OF ACRONYMS 6 THE CASE FOR INVESTMENT IN PAKISTANI ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH AS AN INVESTMENT FOR PAKISTAN’S DEVELOPMENT 7 THE UN COMMITMENT TOWARDS ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 8 THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY PROPOSAL FOR PAKISTAN’S FUTURE 9 METHODOLOGY 10 THE PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS 10 THE CHALLENGES AFFECTING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN 11 EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD RISKS FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 12 EDUCATION CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 13 HEALTH CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 15 ENVIRONMENT CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 18 CIVIC AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 19 A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 21 THE ECOSYSTEM AFFECTING ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT 22 THE THEORY OF CHANGE AND STRATEGY FRAMEWORK 27 29 30 35 O.1. EDUCATION INNOVATION 35 O.2. HEALTH INNOVATION 36 O.3. GREEN INNOVATION 37 O.4. INCLUSION INNOVATION 38 O.5. POLICY INNOVATION 39 O.6. INNOVATION SUPPORT SERVICES 40 O.7. ENABLING INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM 41 PARTNERSHIPS FOR AGILE COLLABORATION 42 WHY INVEST IN EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 42 HOW TO PARTNER WITH THE UN IN PAKISTAN 40 5 LIST OF ACRONYMS UN United Nations UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF ROSA UNICEF Regional Office South Asia UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund GDP Gross Domestic Product MSME Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises NEET Not in Education, Employment or Training TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training LSBE Life Skills Based Education PECB Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill INGO International Non-governmental Organization NGO Non-governmental Organization LSO Local Support Organization NYDF National Youth Development Framework SDGs Sustainable Development Goals NAVTTC National Vocational and Technical Training Commission DWCP Decent Work Country Programme ILO International Labor Organization MoFEPT Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training NCCP National Climate Change Policy GIS Geographic Information System ALP Accelerated Learning Programme *Acronyms stated in order of appearance in the document 6 THE CASE FOR INVESTMENT IN PAKISTANI ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH It is often said that every crisis brings with it an opportunity. For Pakistan, that opportunity rests with its young people, who currently comprise nearly 33 percent of the country’s total population1. Pakistan will be able to overturn the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and transform its growth trajectory if it adopts inclusive policies, supports innovative solutions, and encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration in the service of its adolescents and youth. ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH AS AN INVESTMENT FOR PAKISTAN’S DEVELOPMENT Over the last decade, young people have increasingly been viewed as a key demographic group within Pakistan. According to the latest census data, the total population of Pakistan was estimated to be around 207 million people2. Within Pakistan’s overall population, young people under the age of 30 comprise the largest segment of the population, at nearly 67%. More significantly, approximately 28% of the population, at the time of the last census, was under 10 years old3. Therefore, this youth bulge in Pakistan will only grow in the coming years. Thus, it can be reasonable to state that the social, political, and economic fortunes of Pakistan are closely tied to the development and empowerment of its young people. Within the current multi-layered crisis facing Pakistan, a change in mindset and practice is needed to innovate sustainable and scalable solutions. The smartest investment the country can make today is to capitalize on its young generation and provide it with the ability to adapt, learn and innovate solutions to address challenges that pertain to poverty, education, health, the economy, and the environment. All donors, the public and private sectors, and civil society stakeholders engaged in the development of this proposal expressed their willingness to partner with the younger generation, provide them with the adequate support and build an ecosystem that nurture their aspirations. The proposed youth-led innovative initiatives can also serve as a vehicle to empower the most vulnerable. The proposal challenges the paradigm of “what are we going to do for young people” to “how are we going to enable them to lead the way out of the crisis through innovation and in partnership with adults”. ©UNICEF/Pakistan/WaseemNiaz 7 THE UN COMMITMENT TOWARDS Aligned with the UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA regional approaches, this proposal also enables young people to ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH act locally within a regional perspective of collaboration Globally, the UN is committed to working alongside every and partnership between all stakeholders across the adolescent and youth, particularly the most vulnerable South Asia region, and to achieve social equality, and marginalized, to enable them to reach their full economic opportunity and political agency. potential. In Pakistan, the UNICEF Regional Office South Asia (ROSA) in partnership with UNDP and UNFPA regional offices have collaborated with UNICEF, UNDP Together, UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA can and UNFPA country offices to promote a shared vision of young people’s empowerment. This vision capitalizes Support young people to move from skills develop- on the comparative advantages of the three agencies to ment into entrepreneurial endeavors by strengthen- work with governments, the private sector, civil society ing the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. and youth networks to deliver transformational impact at Connect adolescents and youth with ministries at scale. This partnership also responds to UNDAP national country and regional levels. development priorities and results. Support systemic participation across age groups The investment opportunity proposal is in line with and provide a wider audience and platform for the UN’s commitment to implement Security Council young voices to be heard. Resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security as well as with different global partnerships and strategies recently Identify and scale grassroots solutions for young adopted by different UN agencies, especially as these social innovators and entrepreneurs and use inno- partnerships grant important avenues for Pakistani youth vation approaches to ensure meaningful participa- to ally with international actors, leverage resources and tion of young people. exchange practices, to make their voices heard. These new Expand government and partner tools and pro- avenues will enhance their ability to approach the current grams for adolescent and youth development. complex realities with interdisciplinary, integrated, and systemic solutions, in a sustainable and scalable manner. ©UNICEF/Pakistan/WaseemNiaz 8 THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY and private sector to participate in. Some activities are intended to respond to the immediate and short-term PROPOSAL FOR PAKISTAN’S FUTURE needs of adolescents and youth, while others focus on The proposal is developed based on a six-month study building sustainable solutions. It is designed in a modular that was conducted with a diverse group of stakeholders format providing stakeholders with the possibility to that ranged from the government, donor community and match their priorities with young people’s needs, as well the private sector, with a particular focus on adolescents as to help facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration on and youth in co-designing initiatives based on their specific activities. needs and priorities. Indeed, the proposed investment opportunities were developed during challenging times, International Partnerships and Strategies exacerbated by the pandemic which called for a change UN Youth Strategy (‘Youth 2030’), Generation in mindset, approach and priorities, especially when Unlimited, the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs addressing challenges and framing responses. for Youth, My Body My Life My World, the Giga This proposal describes the challenges encountered by Partnership, Generation Equality, and Young People adolescents and youth in Pakistan within the current and the Law, and the ongoing UN reform process. realities, presents a theory of change and a strategy framework, which is based on a three-pronged approach: This proposal could not have been possible without social innovation as a vehicle for accelerated response the contribution of young people, the support of the and development, young people’s empowerment as government, the leadership of the UNICEF Regional leverage for adaptability and resilience, and partnership Office South Asia (ROSA) along with UNICEF, UNDP and as a requirement to ensure an enabling ecosystem. UNFPA country teams, the contribution of all stakeholders including donors, private sector, and civil society groups, This proposal also offers a set of activities to be achieved and Beyond Group as a facilitator for its development. by 2025 as investment opportunities for the public The proposed investment opportunities target adolescents and youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years old, from all provinces, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable segments, including adolescent girls and young women, persons with disabilities, low-income adolescents and youth, transgenders, out-of- school adolescents and youth, undocumented adolescents and youth, and those residing in fragile contexts and rural areas. ©UNICEF/Pakistan/KhumaisRaza 9 METHODOLOGY Over six months, despite the restrictions imposed by THE PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS the COVID-19 pandemic, the research and development The following process led to the development of the process of the proposals included a review of more than presented proposal: 50 reports and studies centered on young people’s needs, in-depth interviews with more than 25 stakeholders from Define the scope of the research that allows to fill the the government, donors, the private sector and youth data gaps in the existing literature, with a particular organizations. Using online digital tools, this research also focus on the implications of the pandemic on adoles- employed 3 co-design sessions with 35 representatives cents and youth. made up of adolescents and youth, based on gender, regions, and vulnerability factors. Determine adolescents and youth priority needs, pol- icy and institutional challenges, and capacity gaps The overall approach aimed at informing strategies and of state and non-state actors, using key informant initiatives at the micro-level – the programs and activities interviews, and align them with donors and govern- that equip young people to innovate sustainable solutions ment priorities. for their priority needs, at the meso-level – access to Co-design comprehensive solution-based initiatives, quality support services and the capacity of service on Zoom, with a sample of adolescents and youth, providers, and the macro-level – the policy environment utilizing the collected data, and enabling a more con- and institutional development for an enabling ecosystem. textual approach to compensate the data gaps. Guiding Principles Co-develop proposals with the UN team based on all data and solutions collected, through analysis and  Inclusive of Young People’s Voices design retreats.  Responsive to Young People’s Needs  Engagement of Diverse Stakeholders Validate proposals with donors, government, public  Innovative in its Strategies and Initiatives and private sector as well as other stakeholders, in  Collaborative between UN Country Agencies addition to adolescents and youth to ensure rel-  Aligned with UN Global Frameworks evance, feasibility and ownership through a mul-  Comprehensive Investment Opportunities ti-stakeholder retreat that will feed into the final drafting of the proposals. In this research, ‘adolescents and youth’ are defined within the following age segregations: 10-14 years as early adolescence, 15-19 years as late adolescence and 20-24 years as youth/young people. The proposal explicitly recognizes the heterogeneity of adolescents and youth in relation particularly to gender, disability, sexual orientation, untouchability, ethnicity, economic status, geographical dimensions, and provincial characteristics. Moreover, the research and the proposals intend to cover all provinces in the country. By the time this proposal was developed, there was still a lack of an in-depth assessment of the implications of the pandemic on adolescents and youth, and a lack of access to information on the current situation in provinces and the subsequent government response, particularly at the provincial level. 10 THE CHALLENGES AFFECTING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN PAKISTAN The research process that was adopted for this exercise does not allow for interaction among diverse groups, thus triangulated data collected from the literature review, key engendering feelings of otherization which eventually informant interviews and the co-design sessions that were leads to intolerance within society.8 held with adolescents and youth. The process output has identified the following challenges that will be the subject The devolution of youth affairs to the provinces after the of the current proposal. passing of the 18th amendment to the constitution of Pakistan in 2010 has also affected the implementation Pakistan finds itself in the midst of several challenges that efforts for the policies regarding Pakistan’s youth. As have further been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. each province now has autonomy on youth issues, in These include challenges that pertain to unemployment, addition to education, health, environment, social welfare, poverty, illiteracy, gender discrimination and the connecting and gender mainstreaming amongst others, effective thread among them, which aggravate socio-economic implementation of nationally owned policies has become inequality. Furthermore, these challenges crosscut between difficult. With each province having its unique structural Pakistan’s various age groups. The last pre-pandemic figures and capacity challenges, the performance trajectories of reported around 24.3% Pakistanis living below the poverty provinces have consequently varied considerably. line4. However, this number is expected to increase to around 40% due to the pandemic, which will plunge nearly As the government and its partners ranging from donors, 83 million Pakistanis below the poverty line5. Contributing the private and non-profit sectors grapple with efforts to to this rise is a sharp increase in inflation and a rapid mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it has contraction in the real GDP growth rate. Despite recovering become even more important to develop a proposal for from a negative real GDP growth rate in 2020 (-0.4%), the the empowerment and development of young people in inflation rate for 2021 currently stands at 8.7%, whereas the Pakistan. While immediate relief and firefighting efforts GDP growth rate stands at 1.5%.6 are underway for the public, young people-centric policies and programmes cannot be relegated in priority as they Furthermore, in a country where less than half of the represent not only the future of Pakistan but also hold working age population is employed, and within that the key to Pakistan’s realization of the vision for the 2030 the majority (or 72%) of the non-agricultural workforce Agenda for Sustainable Development. is in the informal economy, the economic shock of the pandemic has not only severely affected livelihood The following sections will highlight the needs and generation but also livelihoods protection7. Unfortunately, priorities of adolescents and youth, gathered through young people stand to be affected the most by the primary and secondary research, in addition to the pandemic as they will further struggle to find employment requirements on a meso and macro-level to build an in an economy ravaged by the virus. enabling ecosystem for their empowerment and ability to innovate solutions to transform those existing challenges Compounding these issues is a persistent lack of access into opportunities for social equity, economic opportunity to adequate healthcare and education, especially among and political agency. marginalized and vulnerable adolescents and youth. The absence of proper healthcare and education has only been worsened by nationwide shutdowns because of the recurring waves of the pandemic in Pakistan. Marginalization based on education also contributes to intolerance, often leading to radicalization among youth who either drop out of schools or are unable to attain tertiary education. Furthermore, even among those that do get educated, Pakistan’s education structure, with its rigid delineation between the private and public streams, 4 Ministry of Planning Development & Reform. (2015-16). National Poverty Report. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https:// www.pc.gov.pk/uploads/report/National_Poverty_Report_2015-16_12-07-18(Formatted_by_JACC)1.pdf 5 UNDP. (2020). In Pakistan, pandemic could push millions more into poverty. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/ home/news-centre/news/2020/Pakistan_pandemic_could_push_millions_into_poverty.html 6 International Financial Statistics. (2021). Pakistan Country Data 1980 – 2021. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved from https:// www.imf.org/en/Countries/PAK 7 Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Labour Force Survey 2017-18. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.gov.pk/ content/labour-force-statistics 8 United States Institute of Peace. (2020). The Current Situation in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/08/ current-situation-pakistan 11 EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD RISKS This assumption is plausible since most of Pakistan’s labour force is employed in Micro, Small and Medium FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH Enterprises (MSMEs). This sector has been particularly The majority of Pakistan’s non-agricultural labour force is hard-hit by the pandemic as it is difficult for smaller employed in the informal economy. It is this segment of enterprises to comply with COVID-19 regulations the labour force (approximately 27 million workers) that is pertaining to employee retention, while attempting to at high risk of losing its livelihood. The primary industries keep businesses afloat during lockdowns. Since the that employ the bulk of Pakistan’s informal labour force majority of MSMEs form part of the gig and/or informal and who will subsequently be adversely affected are economy, their resilience against economic shocks is the wholesale and retail sector, manufacturing sector, limited.14 construction sector and the transport and communication sector.9 Even prior to the pandemic, UNDP’s Pakistan National Human Development Report 2017 projected that, at the current participation and unemployment levels and considering the number of retirees, Pakistan would need SOME KEY STATICS to create 4.5 million jobs over the next five years (0.9 million jobs annually). A failure to do so could lead to 43 million people being unemployed by 2050.15 44% Pre-pandemic labour force participation rate was 44% (61 million people employed out of a total of around 200 PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING MSMES million)10 Since a substantial portion of the labour force and particularly the young population is employed in micro, small and medium enterprises, it is crucial to support 45% this sector from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 45% employed in MSMEs.11. pandemic. Doing so will not only aid in making the economy resilient but will also open more employment opportunities for the incoming supply of young people into the workforce. Youth pre-pandemic unemployment rate 11.6% (10-24 years old) 12. WORK OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH Adding to the already challenging situation of generating SOLVING CURRENT CHALLENGES livelihoods for Pakistan’s young people, youth Many respondents suggested that the multiple challenges unemployment rates have also been impacted because faced by youth could be transformed into income- of the pandemic. At the start of the first wave of the generating activities if the youth were incentivized to pandemic, in a report published by the Asian Development innovate and take initiative. To do so, the youth must Bank and the international Labor Organization in 2020, it be supported through financial facilities, human and was estimated that, if severe lockdown restrictions were to technological services to scale up their community- be put in place for a 3-month period, Pakistan could lose based and tech-based innovative solutions and should around 1.5 million jobs. be empowered within an environment that appreciates them socially and financially. Adolescents in marginalized However, in a longer containment scenario of 6 months, communities could benefit from such opportunities to Pakistani youth may lose 2.3 million jobs.13 Now, almost support their families. a year on from the first wave of the pandemic, Pakistan currently finds itself in the throes of a 3rd wave of the Young People Voices (23-year-old) COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, projections made in 2020 regarding the loss of livelihood for young people remain “A lack of practical knowledge is a constant relevant in 2021, despite the economy briefly rebounding barrier in finding a good job.” in late 2020. 9 UNDP. (2020). COVID-19 – Pakistan Socio-economic Impact Assessment & Response Plan. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/ pakistan/covid-19-pakistan-socio-economic-impact-assessment-response-plan-version-1-may-2020 10 Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Labour Force Survey (2017-18). Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.gov. pk/content/labour-force-statistics 11 ibid 12 ibid 13 International Labor Organization, & Asian Development Bank. (2020). Tackling the COVID-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/626046/covid-19-youth-employment-crisis-asia-pacific.pdf 14 UNDP. (2020). COVID-19 – Pakistan Socio-economic Impact Assessment & Response Plan. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/ pakistan/covid-19-pakistan-socio-economic-impact-assessment-response-plan-version-1-may-2020 15 Najam, A., Bari, F., & UNDP. (2017). Unleashing the potential of a young Pakistan. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/ files/reports/2847/pk-nhdr.pdf 12 EDUCATION CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND Core and Transferable YOUTH Skills are defined as: Access to formal and informal quality education is one critical need for adolescents and youth in Pakistan, within both academic and vocational Leadership and Soft Skills, tracks, in addition to learning core and transferable skills required to become Vocational and Technical productive members of society. Skills Entrepreneurship If it is unable to provide them with essential life skills, the quality of education and Digital Skills. not only affects young people’s access to the marketplace but also their health. The absence of quality education can also impact the youth’s social, environmental and political consciousness and will hinder their capacity to take initiative and contribute to sustainable policy solutions. SOME KEY STATICS 2.4% > 6% National education budget: 2.4% of the GDP in 201916 Degree holders (bachelors and above) 6% in 2017-1819 X X 30.96% 30.96% Pakistani youth not in education, employment or Learning poverty score 75% (16.3 percentage points worse training (NEET)17 than average for South Asia region)20 30.96% 0.4M Youth literacy rate in 2018-19 at 72% (64% for females TVET sector enrolling 0.4 million youth in 3500 institutions compared to 79% for males)18 nationwide21 ©UNICEF/Pakistan/JumanaVejlani 16 Government of Pakistan. (2019). Pakistan Economic Survey 2018-19. Retrieved from http://isaps.org/upload/report_publications/ docs/1572336395.pdf 17 International Labor Organization. (2018). Share of youth not in education, employment or training, total (% of youth population) – Pakistan. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.NEET.ZS?contextual=default&locations=PK 18 Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2018-19). Pakistan Social & Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM) 2018-19 National / Provincial (Social Report). Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//pslm/publications/pslm_ hies_2018_19_provincial/key_findings_report_of_plsm_hies_2018_19.pdf 19 Government of Pakistan. (2018). Labour Force Survey 2017-18. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/labour-force- statistics 20 The World Bank. (2019). Pakistan – Learning Poverty Brief. Retrieved from https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/214101571223451727/ SAS-SACPK-PAK-LPBRIEF.pdf 21 Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. (2018). National “Skills for All” Strategy. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https://tvetreform.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Reports%20and%20Publications/National%20Skills%20for%20All%20 Strategy.pdf 13 BRIDGING THE TECHNOLOGICAL DIVIDE are able to explore self-employment opportunities, especially during the pandemic. Furthermore, both formal TO ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO and technical and vocational education systems need to EDUCATION update their curriculums to include digital skills to not Nearly all respondents emphasized the difficulty of only expand the youth’s access to international and high transitioning to distance learning due to the closure of skilled markets but to also equip them with the skills to schools during the pandemic, for teachers and learners. cope with the rapidly evolving future of work and labor The pandemic also laid bare the unequal access to market. technological devices and the internet among students, Young People Voices (15-year-old) the result of which was an increase in dropouts, reduction in learning levels and associated mental health problems. “Teachers do not teach entrepreneurship skills With the pandemic still ongoing, respondents expressed in schools. Also, inequality preached between the imminent need to enhance internet infrastructure, subjects with pre-medical subjects deemed build teacher capacity and make technology affordable to superior to other subjects.” enable marginalized adolescents and youth to continue their education, both formal and technical and vocational. REAFFIRMING THE FOCUS ON QUALITY Young People Voices (22-year-old) EDUCATION “In public universities there is not much focus Several respondents mentioned the failings of Pakistan’s on soft skills. I don’t have good communication technical and vocational education sector in its provision skills, public speaking skills … I don’t feel of quality and relevant education to its students. While confident in expressing myself.” also stressing on the importance of expanding access to TVET, respondents felt that sufficient investments need to be made to attract young people towards it. Renewed focus on improving the quality of content and quality of MAINSTREAMING ENTREPRENEURSHIP, instruction while building robust linkages with industry SOFT AND DIGITAL SKILLS and mentorship are required Most respondents agreed that the technical and Young People Voices (19-year-old) vocational education sector needs to focus more on imparting entrepreneurial knowledge to young people “There was no concept of practical learning. and supplement it with soft skills so that young people The only focus was on rote learning.” 14 ©UNICEF/Pakistan/JumanaVejlani HEALTH CHALLENGES FACING Mental Health ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH Access to quality and safe healthcare facilities at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, particularly considering the COVID-19 pandemic, has become even more crucial. Additionally, with regards to the challenges 0.4% faced by young people, Sexual and Reproductive Health Public expenditure on mental health: 0.4% of total public Rights Education (alternatively referred to as Life Skills health budget.26 Based Education – LSBE) and mental health are also key priority areas that require imminent solutions to enable /1020 /1600 young people, especially young women, to feel safer, healthier, and to lead more confident lives. Quality health is a prerequisite for the physical and socio-emotional development of adolescents and youth. 1 physician for every 1020 people and 1 hospital bed for SOME KEY STATISTICS around 1600 people.27 Sexual and Reproductive Health Density of psychiatrists in or around the largest city 2.29 times greater than the density of psychiatrists in the entire 29% girls in Pakistan are married by the age of 18.22 country.28 X 11.4% of married women aged 15 to 29 who had a live birth did not utilize antenatal care services.23 28% of adolescents aged 15-19 have been exposed to physical or emotional violence.29 Teenage childbearing prevalent (8% of women within the 50% ages of 15 to 19 years).24 Around half of all females aged 25 to 29 years in Pakistan have experienced anxiety at one point or another.30 X Limited access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services and information for young people.25 Around 0.5 million young people (between 15 – 24 years) have used drugs in 2012.31 22 National Institute of Population Studies – NIPS/ Pakistan, & ICF International. (2019). Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18. Islamabad, Pakistan, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NIPS and ICF. Retrieved from https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR354/ FR354.pdf 23 ibid 24 ibid 25 Kamran, I., Niazi, R., Khan, K., & Abbas, F. (2019). Situation Analysis of Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Youth in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.popcouncil.org/uploads/pdfs/2019RH_SituationAnalysisYouthPakistan.pdf 26 World Health Organization. (2009). A report of the assessment of the mental health system in Pakistan using the World Health Organization - Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/ pakistan_who_aims_report.pdf 27 The World Bank. World Development Indicators (2017-18). Data from the World Health Organization, supplemented by Country Data. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.MED.BEDS.ZS?locations=PK 28 World Health Organization. (2009). A report of the assessment of the mental health system in Pakistan using the World Health Organization - Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/ pakistan_who_aims_report.pdf 29 National Institute of Population Studies - NIPS/Pakistan, & ICF International. (2013). Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2012-13). Retrieved from https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr290-dhs-final-reports.cfm 30 Najam, A., Bari, F., & UNDP. (2017). Unleashing the potential of a young Pakistan. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/ files/reports/2847/pk-nhdr.pdf 31 UNODC. (2013). Drug Use in Pakistan 2013. Retrieved from http://fileserver.idpc.net/library/Drug-use-in-Pakistan.pdf 15  ©UNICEF/Pakistan/WaseemNiaz CHANGE IN CULTURE AS A CRITICAL health care quality and access with an emphasis on access to medicine, particularly in rural areas. MILESTONE Young People Voices (20-year-old) A majority of respondents acknowledge that the most important step is assisting society in changing “Asking any questions on this topic is considered its perception on sexual and reproductive health as as immoral and indecent behavior.” well as mental health. They highlighted how taboos and prejudice, particularly in the country’s religiously conservative areas, prevent adolescents and youth from PRIORITIZATION OF SEXUAL AND seeking health care when needed, at different levels based REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND MENTAL on age group and gender differences. HEALTH AT POLICY AND SERVICE LEVELS Young People Voices (14-year-old) Several respondents stated that it is high time for the government to acknowledge the need for “If you tell anyone that you are going to a comprehensive life skills-based education for young psychiatrist, they label you a psycho.” people by formulating a holistic policy document with consensus from all relevant stakeholders. Respondents also highlighted the need for an efficient and robust IMMEDIATE ACTION AS A RESPONSE TO data collection regime to provide reliable and current THE PANDEMIC information on mental health, with a strong focus on mental health challenges faced by adolescents and youth Most respondents emphasized the need for a rapid people. response to sexual and reproductive health, and mental health issues faced by young people. In addition, several Young People Voices (22-year-old) respondents highlighted the need to advance the overall “Mental health and sex education should also happen at the parental level. It is impossible to share these problems with parents, which leads to even more mental stress.” 16 FOR EVERY ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG PERSON, EDUCATION 17 ©UNICEF/Pakistan/KhumaisRaza ENVIRONMENT CHALLENGES FACING The most significant issue for young Pakistanis is that of solid waste pollution. The state lacks the capacity to ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH manage waste disposal effectively and efficiently, which There are a number of significant threats that worsening has resulted in solid waste reaching unprecedented levels. climatic conditions pose for Pakistan and its people. These threats include an increase in frequency of extreme The government’s flagship initiative that addresses weather events (irregular monsoon rain cycle resulting climate change is known as the “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami in flooding and droughts) and recession of glaciers in the Programme”. The overall objective of “Ten Billion Tree Northern Mountain regions (Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Tsunami Programme” is to revive Forest and Wildlife Himalayan Ranges) resulting in reduced water inflows resources in Pakistan, and to improve the overall into the Indus River System which is the primary and conservation of existing protected areas while also most abundant source of freshwater in Pakistan. Rising encouraging eco-tourism, community engagement and temperatures have led to a multitude of socio-economic the creation of jobs. issues for people, including frequent heatwaves in Pakistan that have resulted in loss of lives, reduced agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, and GENERATIONAL GAP IN CLIMATE CHANGE loss of livelihoods AWARENESS For a majority of respondents, climate change was not SOME KEY STATISTICS a key focus area. In addition, interviews with young people revealed that the extent of their Climate Change knowledge was limited to environmental degradation, mostly only solid waste disposal and management. To enable sustainable development, livelihoods protection and improved health and nutrition, this lack of knowledge Pakistan is ranked as the 5th most affected country due to and awareness of climate change as a real and imminent the impacts of climate change from the year 1990 to 201832. threat to Pakistan needs to be addressed. Young People Voices (25-year-old) “Young people are reluctant to enter this field because of a lack of support and awareness Pakistan’s forest cover is among the lowest in the world at from the government and society. Even 5%33. those who are wanting to initiate social and civic initiatives are often criticized by their own community and it leads to even more demotivation.” Ranked 3rd globally in number of people who die WASTE MANAGEMENT AS A CHALLENGE prematurely from pollution34. AND AN OPPORTUNITY Most young respondents considered solid waste management as a major environmental challenge. Furthermore, some respondents also highlighted individual and collective actions undertaken to address the issue of Poor and marginalized communities in Pakistan tend to be solid waste. Thus, the space for innovation and job creation the most vulnerable to climate change and least able to cope exists to transform this challenge into an opportunity. with weather-related disasters due to the lack of access to information and resources to reduce the risks. Young People Voices (21-year-old) “Negative perception regarding NGOs in the media … people saying that these organizations are a fraud. They are not a fraud because I am working in one, but we would be able to work Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy ignores the so much better if the government supported us gender aspects of climate35. properly.” 32 Eckstein, D., Winges, M., Künzel, V., Schäfer, L., & Germanwatch. (2019). Global Climate Risk Index 2020 Who Suffers Most from Extreme Weather Events? Weather-Related Loss Events in 2018 and 1999 to 2018. Retrieved from https://germanwatch.org/sites/default/ files/publication/20432.pdf 33 The World Bank. World Development Indicators (2017-18). Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved from https:// data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS?locations=PK 34 Siddiqui, J., & Wakeel, Z. (2021). India, Pakistan Choke on Their Smog. Can They Clear the Air? United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved from https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/03/india-pakistan-choke-their-smog-can-they-clear-air 35 Asian Development Bank. (2017). Climate Change Profile of Pakistan (0 ed.). Asian Development Bank. https://doi.org/10.22617/ TCS178761 18 CIVIC AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH The provincial youth policy documents focus more on and has limited civilian oversight, which has resulted in the thematic areas of education, skills development, and arbitrary rejections of NGO applications38. employment opportunities whereas attention to rights, life-skills development, health and reproductive rights, Despite political parties viewing young people (especially gender equality, civic and political engagement, and those of the voting age and above) as a key demographic inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable youth population during the election season, the integration of young segments have either been ignored entirely in some voices in political parties is still quite low. Between 2014- policy documents or not addressed adequately in others. 2016, in the most politically engaged age group (aged Secondly, the current youth policies are generally blind 25-29 years), only 25 percent of men were affiliated with a to differences of gender, wealth, urban/rural residence, political party; the figure fell to 9 percent for women39. and age among youth36. This lack of differentiation could Adolescents and youth engagement in policy making prevent the effective implementation of these policies. and institutional reforms provides them with the Furthermore, the passing of the controversial Prevention reassurance that the government will respond to their of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB) in 2015 also points to a social, economic, education, health, and environment greater restriction of the freedom of expression and the aspirations, and will contribute to the development right to information, while proposing disproportionately of an enabling ecosystem that empowers youth, as harsh punishments for potential lawbreakers. This bill a strategy to decrease social unrest, while allowing has been criticized for being ambiguous in its language, them to take agency in the progress of their country. thus leading to potential misinterpretations and Particularly in times of the pandemic when they can be an subsequent abuses and violations by law enforcement important asset to partner with in dealing with the crisis, agencies37. Furthermore, the INGO policy of 2015 severely adolescents and youth are eager to participate in the impeded the registration and functioning of international policy making process and there are formal structures that humanitarian and human rights groups. Indeed, NGOs have been created but are yet to be activated and become and INGOs are subject to extensive regulations that inclusive of the most marginalized. One such structure involve multiple and lengthy procedures of registration, is the National Youth Council that was promulgated security clearances, and approvals for funding. The entire under the Kamyab Jawan Programme but has yet to process is characterized by an absence of transparency demonstrate its impact. ©UNICEF/Pakistan/JumanaVejlani 36 Sathar, Z., Kamran, I., Sadiq, M., & Hussain, S. (2016). Youth in Pakistan: Priorities, realities and policy responses. Retrieved from https://www.popcouncil.org/uploads/pdfs/2016PGY_YouthInPakistan.pdf 37 Dawn.com, R. K. |. (2016, August 11). Cyber-crime bill passed by NA: 13 reasons Pakistanis should be worried. DAWN.COM. http:// www.dawn.com/news/1276662 38 Jacob, P. (2020, April 28). INGO policy. DAWN.COM. https://www.dawn.com/news/1552828 39 Najam, A., Bari, F., & UNDP. (2017). Unleashing the potential of a young Pakistan. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/ files/reports/2847/pk-nhdr.pdf 19 SOME KEY STATISTICS MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS’ NETWORK AS A LEVERAGE FOR POLICY CHANGE Most respondents recommended to further invest in the creation of more issue-based networks and coalitions Pakistan was ranked a 145th out of 180 countries in the 2021 between all stakeholders such as the UN, donors, private World Press Freedom Index40. sector and civil society organizations to advocate for reforms on issues that affect young people and by creating more interface between young people and government. The sedition law, Section 124A of the Pakistan Penal Code, INCLUSION AS A CROSSCUTTING STRATEGY has been frequently used to arrest and incarcerate those Most respondents agreed on the importance of demanding social and political reforms41. developing special measures for greater inclusion of young people from vulnerable and marginalized groups in policy development and mainstreaming those inclusion DISSOCIATION BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE measures across policy design, implementation and AND GOVERNMENT monitoring to eventually reduce societal inequalities. Most young respondents expressed frustration regarding the opacity of government policies and programs and have voiced their concerns about the absence of RENEWING FOCUS ON FEMALE platforms for active participation in decision making processes, especially on matters of relevance to their EMPOWERMENT demographic. Furthermore, both young respondents and Most respondents stressed on the need to amplify efforts those who represent organizations highlighted a lack of to empower young Pakistani women to enable them easy access to state and government offices and officials, to become more active members of society. Revisiting which has led to a widening trust deficit between the two. gender roles and recognizing the social, economic and Young People Voices (25-year-old) political disadvantages that women continue to suffer from is a necessary component to devise empathetic “Young people are reluctant to enter this field and inclusive strategies for their empowerment and because of a lack of support and awareness development. Granting women equal opportunities to from the government and society. Even education, providing financial independence, enabling those who are wanting to initiate social and their freedom of expression and right to work will civic initiatives are often criticized by their contribute significantly to creating a more just society, own community and it leads to even more while also improving Pakistan’s economic development demotivation.” trajectory. DECENTRALIZATION AS A VEHICLE FOR LOCAL PARTICIPATION ECONOMIC RECOVERY POST-PANDEMIC Most respondents considered that the current decentralization policy, devolving further authorities to AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INCLUSION provincial governments, can contribute to increasing The majority of respondents confirmed that the pandemic adolescent and youth participation on a local level, by has exacerbated inequalities among various segments improving proximity with local policy makers and state of young people, thus requiring immediate interventions officials. One way this aim can be achieved is by studying that targets young people to transform the current the Local Support Organization (LSO) model currently challenges into a pathway towards higher inclusion implemented by the Rural Support Networks in the Country through initiatives in education, health, agriculture, and by devising strategies to mainstream the participation of environment and access to technology. young people in these LSOs. Young People Voices (21-year-old) “Negative perception regarding NGOs in the media … people saying that these organizations are a fraud. They are not a fraud because I am working in one, but we would be able to work so much better if the government supported us properly.” 40 2020 World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders. (n.d.). RSF. Retrieved June 17, 2021, from https://rsf.org/en/ranking 41 Alam E. (2020). South Asia State of Minorities Report 2020: Minorities and Shrinking Civic Space. The South Asia Collective. 164- 195. Retrieved from https://minorityrights.org/publications/sac-report-2020/ 20 A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES FACING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH 1 Most adolescents and youth are affected by poverty, unemployment and are living in dire economic conditions due to the lack of access to decent work and income, as well as to social protection benefits. Most adolescents and youth lack access to quality 2 education due to a weak and decentralized education system that negatively affects their ability to acquire core and transferable skills that are necessary to match market needs. Many adolescents and youth, particularly females, suffer 3 from a lack of access to quality healthcare, particularly sexual and reproductive health services, due to lack of knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health rights, but mainly due to socio-cultural barriers and a lack of social protection frameworks. 4 Many adolescents and youth suffer from mental health problems due to multi-layered pressures they experience with little access to quality and safe services. Many young people experience the effects of climate 5 change and environmental degradation on their quality of life and access to basic rights with insufficient policies and strategies to improve their communities’ resilience. Most adolescents and youth are excluded from policy 6 making processes, which results in a lack of trust towards state institutions which could, in turn, lead to divisions and tensions within society. Within adolescents and youth, females, sexual minorities, 7 ethnic and religious minorities, the disabled, the poor, and those living on the margins suffer from additional exclusionary policies within the social, economic, and political spheres. 21 THE ECOSYSTEM AFFECTING ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Based on the research that has been conducted for this exercise, the following table describes the policies, systems, programs and services as well as the potential gaps that the ecosystem should develop to become more enabling for adolescents and youth empowerment and their ability to innovate: UMBRELLA POLICIES FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT --------------------------------------------------- Policies and Systems Programs and Services Pakistan Vision 2025 (promulgated in 2014) aims to make Pakistan The Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan amongst the top 25 economies of the world by 2025 and one of the 10 Programme has been created out largest by 2047. Youth development is the foundational pillar of this of the NYDF and aims to include vision42. initiatives on all core themes. The National Youth Development Framework (NYDF 2020). Core A National SDGs Framework has themes include the mainstreaming of marginalized youth, civic been developed to localize the SDGs, engagement, social protection, health and well-being, economic and federal and provincial SDG units empowerment, and youth-focused institutional reforms43. have been established to oversee implementation and ensure vertical Pakistan has adopted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as its and horizontal coordination44. own national development agenda in 2016. At the provincial level, each province has promulgated its youth policy documents to attempt to holistically address the contextual needs of young people of the province. EMPLOYMENT AND LIVELIHOOD --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policies and Systems Programs and Services The Government’s Vision 2025 is the main policy document NAVTTC, under the Hunarmand Pakistan that focuses on developing social and human capital and on Programme, also links graduates of TVET achieving sustained and inclusive growth. The document institutions who wish to start their own explicitly recognizes the importance of promoting efficiency enterprises with the appropriate funding and employability within the youth bulge. channels as well as creating, in partnership with the state-owned National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan’s National Labour Policy (2010) is another nationally a loan program for budding entrepreneurs owned document that emphasizes the need to increase wherein the interest on the loan will be borne by workforce productivity, promote investment and generate the government. broad-based employment opportunities as well as protect workers’ rights. The government is also in the 3rd phase of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP 2016- In addition, since 2006, Pakistan has a labour protection 2020) with the ILO as the technical partner. The policy set in place. DWCP is focused on promoting decent work in the rural economy, promoting job creation for The 2018 National “Skills for All” Strategy developed by youth and vulnerable groups, extending social the Ministry of Education also focuses on creating linkages protection floors, and strengthening compliance between TVET institutions and the industry to help graduates with international labour standards. obtain employment. 42 Ministry of Planning Development & Reform. (2014). Pakistan Vision 2025. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www. pc.gov.pk/uploads/vision2025/Pakistan-Vision-2025.pdf 43 Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. (2020). National Youth Development Framework. Prime Minister’s Office, Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https://kamyabjawan.gov.pk/downloads/eng_nydf.pdf 44 Ministry of Planning Development and Reform. (2019). Pakistan’s Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development-Voluntary National Review. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/233812019_06_15_ VNR_2019_Pakistan_latest_version.pdf 22 ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policies and Systems Programs and Services The 2018 National “Skills for All” Strategy Prime Minister’s Hunarmand Pakistan (Skills for All) Programme drafted by the Ministry of Federal Education is a part of the Kamyab Jawan Programme. It provides a & Professional Training (MoFEPT) provides a comprehensive roadmap for the TVET sector to enhance infra- future roadmap for effective service delivery structure capacity, enlarge skill development opportunities and accreditation of technical and vocational for young people, and bring their technical capacities at par education and training for Pakistan’s young with international standards. This programme is being led by population. the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). The NYDF 2020 also focuses on education as a priority area, with technical education being The government also provides, under the Ehsaas Programme’s especially targeted with the intent of equipping ‘Waseela e Taleem’ initiative, conditional cash transfers to Pakistani youth with the technical and digital the poorest families in the country so that they can send their skills required for the modern day45. children to school46. ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policies and Systems Programs and Services Each province has drafted its own population policy through The newly introduced ‘Single National their respective population welfare departments. Only Curriculum’ includes a component on life Balochistan’s population policy has not yet been approved by skills-based education. However, this newly the provincial government. launched curriculum only covers grades 1 to 5. It remains to be seen how the developers Although there is no national level policy document on sexual of the curriculum will adequately integrate and reproductive health rights education, advocacy efforts by sexual and reproductive health rights UNFPA amongst others have successfully got the attention of education for higher grade levels. the government. The effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the After the passing of the mental health ordinance in 2001, mental health of young people has not gone there have been no further national level policy interventions unnoticed and policymakers have publicly for mental health. Furthermore, the passing of the 18th addressed mental health as a serious health amendment in 2010 also devolved the subject of health to the concern for young people. provinces, which indicates that the focus on mental health has been diffused even further from the national dialogue. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Policies and Systems Programs and Services Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) provides The government’s flagship initiative an overarching framework to address the challenges that addressing climate change is known as the Pakistan faces or will face in the future due to changing climate “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme”. patterns. The policy takes a sectoral approach and recognizes Currently in its first phase, the project the importance of developing both mitigation and adaptation has a four-year cycle (2019-2023) and is strategies to combat climate change threats, despite certain being implemented across Pakistan by the shortcomings47. Ministry of Climate Change along with the Provincial and Territorial Forest and Wildlife At the provincial level, Punjab, Sindh and KP province have departments. The overall objective of “Ten taken the lead on drafting their provincial climate change Billion Tree Tsunami Programme” is to revive policies, since climate change is also a subject that has Forest and Wildlife resources in Pakistan, been devolved to the provinces after the passing of the 18th improve the overall conservation of existing amendment. protected areas while also encouraging eco- tourism, community engagement and the creation of jobs. 45 Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. (2018). National “Skills for All” Strategy. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved from https://tvetreform.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Reports%20and%20Publications/National%20Skills%20for%20All%20 Strategy.pdf 46 Shaikh, H., & Anis, A. (2020). Poverty eradication in Pakistan: Past, present, and future. IGC. Retrieved from https://www.theigc.org/ blog/poverty-reduction-in-pakistan-past-present-and-future/ 47 Chaudhry, Q.-Z. (2017). Climate Change Profile of Pakistan. Asian Development Bank Institute. http://public.eblib.com/choice/ publicfullrecord.aspx?p=5214651 23 POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policies and Systems Programs and Services The most recent national level guiding document on youth reforms, the The newly enacted ‘National Youth National Youth Development Framework, does have civic engagement as Council’ within the Kamyab Jawan one of its principal focus areas. programme is focused, in principle, on bringing young peoples’ voices The INGO policy of 2015 severely impeded the registration and functioning to the political forefront. However, of international humanitarian and human rights groups. NGOs and INGOs it remains to be seen whether are now subject to extensive regulation that involve multiple and lengthy the council will be successful procedures of registration, security clearances, and approvals for funding48. in bringing the voices of the oppressed, excluded, disabled, and The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB) passed in 2015 has been marginalized youth to the policy criticized for being ambiguous in its language, leading to its potential forefront. misinterpretations and subsequent abuses by law enforcement agencies49. ©UNICEF/Pakistan/JumanaVejlani 48 Jacob, P. (2020, April 28). INGO policy. DAWN.COM. https://www.dawn.com/news/1552828 49 Dawn.com, R. K. |. (2016, August 11). Cyber-crime bill passed by NA: 13 reasons Pakistanis should be worried. DAWN.COM. http:// www.dawn.com/news/1276662 24 RECOMMENDATIONS BY MAIN STAKEHOLDERS GOVERNMENT DIGITAL All interviewed stakeholders expressed readiness for TRANSFORMATION IN SERVICE OF collaboration and coordination in service of Pakistan’s adolescents and youth. The following is a summary of key ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH recommendations by interviewed stakeholders: Most respondents insisted on the importance of digitizing government functions to adapt to the rapid GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS changes brought on by the pandemic. Furthermore, There was a recognition that devolution of thematic there needs to be a stronger focus on improving the areas under focus to the provinces has resulted in government’s data collection regime. Despite the wide disparity in performance between provinces. existence of a dedicated national bureau of statistics, frequent data collection and its timely dissemination Despite awareness and recognition of problems and has not happened. This discrepancy has been challenges, implementation of policies and programs evidenced by the presentation of official facts and remains weak, thus highlighting the need for capacity figures in the sections above. There are also frequent development. concerns regarding the validity and reliability of While efforts by non-state actors are appreciated, the government estimates. While data has become a government feels that the impact of efforts is dimin- valuable currency in the modern-day world, Pakistan ished as they are not being channelled properly, thus still lags, which hampers the government’s ability leading to a duplication of efforts. and the ability of other development partners to practice evidence-based decision making. As DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS such, there is the broader need to invest in the improvement of the government’s digital capacity to There is a need for improved access to information enable it to use technology to improve its efficiency, from government in relation to the implications of engagement and transparency. the pandemic on adolescents and youth. The majority of donors recognize the necessity to strengthen young people’s participation in develop- ing and implementing policies and programs Most donors expressed the importance of having NON-STATE ACTORS AS A multi-sectoral collaborations and stated their readi- PLATFORM FOR ADOLESCENTS AND ness to collaborate. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN POLICY The majority of respondents acknowledged a lack IMPLEMENTATION of capacity within government bodies in relation to Many respondents highlighted, that in addition to youth policies and programs. involving adolescents and youth in the formulation of government programs and policies, it is PRIVATE SECTOR also of utmost importance to partner with and It is expected that the proposal suggests actionable leverage the talents of adolescents and youth and results-oriented programs that directly target for the implementation of government policies, adolescents and youth. strategies and programs. Engaging the private sector, civil society organizations and universities There is growing enthusiasm within the private with government entities can be a platform for sector to develop and implement programs for the adolescents and youth to become active partners in empowerment of young people, especially consider- the improvement of the public sector’s performance. ing the negative impact of the pandemic. There is a sense of frustration at the government as some respondents deemed it to be too passive and rigid to work with. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION There is a need to seek greater and more meaningful engagement with the government to ensure the scal- INCLUSIVE OF ADOLESCENTS AND ability and sustainability of their projects. YOUTH Many respondents recognized prior efforts to YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS enhance collaboration between different stakeholders There is frustration among youth organizations relat- and recommended further investment in this regard ed to their lack of access to, engagement with, and by emphasizing the inclusion of adolescents and understanding of government policies and programs. youth, especially those most marginalized and vulnerable, in those platforms so that all policies and The majority of respondents also highlighted that programs intentionally reflect their voices. they often face barriers from the government while working on the ground, such as delays in acquiring permissions, government backtracking on its support due to changes in government personnel, and not maintaining a relationship of transparency and trust, amongst other issues. 25 FOR EVERY ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG PERSON, PARTICIPATION 26 ©UNICEF/Pakistan/JumanaVejlani THE THEORY OF CHANGE AND STRATEGY FRAMEWORK FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH EMPOWER- MENT THROUGH INNOVATION SOCIAL INNOVATION In response to the challenges faced by adolescents and youth in Pakistan and taking into consideration the new global realities triggered by the pandemic, the proposed strategies and initiatives rely on three EMPOW- ERMENT core pillars: empowerment, social innovation and partnership. PARTNERSHIP ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AS A SOCIAL INNOVATION AS A VEHICLE FOR ACCELERATED LEVERAGE FOR RESILIENCE RESPONSE Adolescents and youth empowerment are both a human Social innovation focuses attention on ideas and solutions rights imperative and a smart investment in sustainable – as well as the processes through which they are development and peace. generated, aiming to achieve scalable social sustainability. The empowerment of adolescents and youth is the Social Innovation is the vehicle to transform the leverage needed to achieve human-centered innovation structural challenges facing adolescents and youth, policies, ecosystem and solutions, at a community and exacerbated by the pandemic, into development national level. opportunities. Encouraging young peoples’ active and meaningful It helps ensure an accelerated response to the crisis participation in their societies and in democratic practices through community-based solutions by making and processes is of vital importance50. The participation of use of local resources or tech-based ones, and of young people stimulates in them a sense of responsibility the opportunities provided by the internet, or both to contribute towards maintaining stability and advancing simultaneously. It could be at the policy, institutional and the progress of society. service provision levels ensured by the government and other stakeholders. In addition, youth empowerment enables adolescents and youth to take initiative to solve social, economic, Social Innovation enables young people to take educational, health and environmental challenges, as well responsibility in solving their problems sustainably. as solving political challenges. Concurrently, those solutions could strengthen the government’s role as well if the latter adopts them as part “ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IS A of their public policies and eventually scales them up51. PROCESS WHERE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR LIVES. “SOCIAL INNOVATION IS THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO THEY DO THIS BY ADDRESSING THEIR SITUATION CHALLENGING AND OFTEN SYSTEMIC SOCIAL AND THEN TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE THEIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SUPPORT ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND TRANSFORM THEIR OF SOCIAL PROGRESS. SOCIAL INNOVATION IS CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH THEIR BELIEFS, VALUES, NOT THE PREROGATIVE OR PRIVILEGE OF ANY AND ATTITUDES.” KAR, SNEHENDU B; PASCUAL, ORGANIZATIONAL FORM OR LEGAL STRUCTURE. CATHERINE A; CHICKERING, KIRSTIN L, 1999 SOLUTIONS OFTEN REQUIRE THE ACTIVE COLLABORATION OF CONSTITUENTS ACROSS GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND THE NONPROFIT WORLD.” —SARAH A. SOULE, NEIL MALHOTRA, BERNADETTE CLAVIER, STANFORD UNIVERSITY 50 Youth Global Programme for Sustainable Development & Peace, 2016-2020 51 Doumit, G. (2015). Social Entrepreneurship: A Force for Political Stability (SSIR). Retrieved from https://ssir.org/articles/entry/social_ entrepreneurship_a_force_for_political_stability 27 PARTNERSHIP AS A REQUIREMENT TO ENSURE AN ENABLING ECOSYSTEM Stakeholders include government, international bodies, media, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions willing to share experience, information, technologies, and financial resources toward building an enabling ecosystem for adolescents and youth innovation and empowerment. Partnership is a requirement to build an enabling “MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS ARE ecosystem that maximizes each stakeholder’s role, resources and expertise, in favor of the autonomy of ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE GREATER adolescents and youth. THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS AND ABOUT CREATING LASTING AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT Creating multi-stakeholder platforms based on trust, open communication, and shared interests is a requirement AT ALL LEVELS OF ACTION. THEY ARE MEANT to maximize the existing resources to build an enabling TO PROMOTE A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ecosystem at the policy, institutional and service provision DEVELOPMENT AND BETTER GOVERNANCE.” levels. ASSUMPTIONS AND DRIVERS The following assumptions underpin the rationale behind choosing innovation, empowerment, and partnership as the drivers for the proposed approach: 1 2 3 Even prior to the pandemic, The government of Pakistan State institutions face systemic there were structural challenges has proven its commitment challenges and may not have the inhibiting adolescents and youth towards international human capacity to adequately respond to the from achieving their potential. rights treaties and agreements, immediate and long-term implications These challenges have now which provides a foundation to of the COVID-19 pandemic. become even more arduous to support strategies that empower deal with adolescents and youth. 4 5 6 Rapid changes in market The acuteness of social, economic, Adolescents and youth are more dynamics, digital transformation educational, health, environmental equipped to adapt to the digital and weak government and political challenges require transformation and to innovate adaptability since the pandemic efficient resource mobilization from using opportunities generated require innovative and scalable all stakeholders to compensate for within their communities and responses to current problems. the squeezed public budget. through technology. 7 8 9 All activities should be based As employment is a high UN agencies will continue on a cumulative strategy that priority area but also a to intervene to support the covers all age groups from 10 complex challenge to solve, ecosystem development and will to 24 years to ensure a gradual employment creation should enable adolescents and youth and sustainable impact on be mainstreamed across all innovation and empowerment young people, considering age- activities, and all forms of work initiatives simultaneously. appropriateness. should be valued socially and financially. 29 THEORY OF CHANGE The theory of change will help achieve the following If adolescents and youth are empowered, protected sustainable development goals: and provided with adequate support within and enabling ecosystem, to solve poverty and access (3) Good Health and Well-being, (4) Quality Education, to livelihood, inequalities and discrimination (5) Gender Equality, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (10) Reducing Inequality, (13) Climate Action, in society, lack of access to quality and relevant (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life on Land, (16) Peace, education, lack of access to quality and safe health Justice, and Strong Institutions, (17) Partnerships for the services including sexual and reproductive health Goals. and mental health, climate change implications The Theory of Change is also aligned with the core and community resilience, policy and governance themes of the National Youth Development Framework: challenges, 1. Mainstreaming Marginalized Youth; Then by 2025, a partnership between the UN, 2. Employment and Economic Empowerment; 3. Civic state and non-state actors, with adolescents and Engagement; youth will generate innovative solutions that they can lead to restore social equality, economic 4. Social Protection; opportunity and political agency in their 5. Health & Wellbeing and 6. Youth-Focused Institutional communities and on a nation-wide level. Reforms. PROPOSAL FRAMEWORK Inspired by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework for human development, the proposal framework has at its center adolescents and youth and the dynamic relations they have with their environment that empowers them to innovate and lead the development momentum, especially in times of crisis. The approach proposes a three-tiered intervention structure to achieve the expected impact of increased social equality, economic opportunity and political agency. All initiatives will be MICRO-LEVEL INTERVENTIONS implemented taking into consideration Working directly with young people and helping them in equity parameters, with designing, implementing and scaling up community and particular initiatives tech-based solutions for their priority needs to empower targeting strictly them and help them achieve their potential within the marginalized groups, thematic areas. and will be spread across all provinces. MESO-LEVEL INTERVENTIONS For adolescents and youth to succeed in leading the innovation momentum, it is important to equip them with human support, technological and financial resources, by working with existing and new actors, such as universities, civil society organizations, service providers, private sector and community-based organizations. capable of assisting young people in their innovation journeys. To solve employment MACRO-LEVEL INTERVENTIONS opportunities for youth and livelihood For young peoples’ enterprising initiatives to create social protection for and economic value, become financially sustainable and adolescents, income scalable, the UN, along with all stakeholders, is required generation is to partner to create an enabling policy environment, to mainstrea