Youth in pandemic: challenges and opportunities

 Youth in pandemic: challenges and opportunities

 

When the whole world is grappling with  covid 19 situation ,youths are demonstrating  their extreme enthusiasm in leadership and social services  for the world community . Starting from on field activities on global issues like Health, economy ,gender issues and all the SDG goals , youths are always working as a front line volunteer .The world is now in a global pandemic of unprecedented proportions  and we have yet to call  on the powers of the young generation .

Youth people are particularly vulnerable during this massive havoc of pandemic .many girls of rural areas have been dropped out and given child marriage , boys have been dropped out of schools too , and this rate is on a sharp rise which eventually depicts the economic scenario as well as social challenges  . All these have snatched the dreams that they used to dream of even a year ago !

Whether its high school students rallying boldly against rape/gender violence  or school students serving the nation against cyber crime young generations are always on the march ! Starting from climate action , serving basic daily needs to the families in the midst of pandemic ,mental awareness , cancer/aids awareness , citizenship amending  acts or rally for the refugee the list will go on! Events of the past few years  have shown us that young people are willing and able to address the biggest challenges of our time .

 

In the midst of this pandemic, it's utterly clear that  the youths have easily adjusted themselves with the current situation and contributed  in every sector, societal resilience and more . But the situation is opposite in the case of rural areas . They are being victimized  in crimes ,getting indulged in drugs, social media phishing and all these moral degrading crimes. These dreaded activities risks for the future generations and their well being as well . but our government hasn't  accentuated the confinement and restriction measures, which results in limited access to education and employment, inequality, stress within families/households, poor mental health and well-being, and loss of social and community networks. To ensure a decent healthy life for them, the government needs to   anticipate by applying  effective mechanisms for them.

If we surf throughout the past pandemic  situation , the most  drastic situation was mental challenges ! Starting from school closures , altered health access ,mostly in  third world countries ,economic  stress and pressure have had an impact on the mental and physical well  being of youths all over the world . challenges related to mental health like anxiety , severe panic attack, psychological illness, academic and social stresses, disrupted routines , increased risk of domestic violence ,reduced access to physical support and psychosocial  anxiety . All these highly risked mental problems that heightens their depression is in a state of  high  rise because  these youths and young minds were habitable with  academic school related activities , they  had a provided structure ,peer interaction ,intellectual stimulation and had the  access to recreational facilities .

 According to WHO, youths of urban trends are able to readjust themselves in this situation whereas the rural sided youth population is also gradually making them used to these. Though Most of them have poor technological access , will power is driving them towards a positive habitable life   .  Peer interaction , academic classes are now easily adaptable  and youths are taking the possible  advantage of those . But it’s a matter of agony that almost 60% of these young minds are wasting their precious time in using social media like platforms!  Those proportionate youths ,who are utilizing their time are more likely to be successful  in their future. However , youths  having high maturity can take benefits  from this current situation  ; such as reduced academic and social stress, access to health care  due technological advantages ,  increased time with family  and opportunities to build resilience .

Due to the impact of this pandemic , students have faced losses  and their sheer interest in education , but our government's measures haven’t shown any kind of change in our educational drawbacks in this ongoing pandemic. Due to the abruptness of the situation, teachers and administrations had to build emergency remote learning  as social distancing was claimed  . At the same time , youths have calibrated themselves with an online system of education .  They have made an adjustment with the remote peer-to-peer learning and using their own system of making this whole process a bit more interactive . They are doing world conferences with foreign natives , international organizations, competing worldwide in different competition’s, gaining more and more skills . In this era of quantum computing , a youth has the access to gain equal information and skills equivalent to an adult person having a master’s degree!

But if we talk about the facilities of remote learning in terms of those youths who  have a very poor access to internet  speed, reliability ,timely transmission of video ,communication and interaction ,learning and technical support , learning seems so degraded in those areas!

 

  Young people have been  the frontline responders during this whole covid 19 pandemic , mobilizing across the world. Starting from health workers , activists , innovators ,entrepreneurs, social and community workers, every sector of  youth have shown  equal resilience . We have noticed that  when every life  was disrupted during this pandemic , when our own children didn't show their courage to bury their parents , youth of different non profit organizations came forward to make this situation bearable. Youths have also raised their  voice and awareness programs  in these situations where most of the influential personnel weren't able to do anything .    Young researchers are routing their paths in search of best vaccination trends for everyone .

It's not a new term that family financial backwardness and financial insecurity  is a  global problem . But the pandemic  has boldly shown us how drastic it could be !   youths have always  shown their   resilience  towards these cases . high use of  social platforms have increased the income viability . Opening online business , profit organizations , freelancing etc have opened a new horizon for those enthusiastic youths  who want to support their family  amidst this pandemic .

 A good amount of youths ,who belong to decent economic condition based families  are working  as delivery service men which also depicts that in any situation , youths can adjust  themselves on any work firms  to support their family and be independent . But incase of females ,  they are more likely to become unemployed  due to frequent lockdowns . They have gained massive success through online business and content creating platforms . Moreover females are gaining international recognition worldwide for their courage and work .

 

  Due to this upsurge of pandemic, an increase in digitalization  is leading all the work forces to shift to  work from home and even after the utilization of this unprecedented time ,it is inevitable for each and every citizen as well as youths to  calibrate themselves in this situation .

This youth generation has shown their impact and leadership skills whenever it is a global problem. They step forward whether it's for humanitarian acts or climate change like issues ! They have  the  lead in shaping initiatives in their own communities to support the worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our international youth day  mirrors a youths connectivity and solidarity ,helping and cooperating with each other ,positivity, happiness, resilience, protecting the earth and humanity and spreading mental and social well being .Lastly but not the least impacting and giving real contribution to their community.