Economic and social empowerment of adolescents and youth (11-24)

Plan identifies the economic and social empowerment of adolescents and young people, especially from ethnic minorities (EM) as key priority. The gender analysis and design phases identified that adolescent girls and young women, especially from EM, experience persistent inequalities, forms of GBV such as child marriage, lack meaningful opportunities, social exclusion preventing them to access essential social services and making them not empowered to take informed decisions. EM girls have limited agency, unequal access to education, lack skills and opportunities for sustainable jobs, all linked to deeply rooted traditional gender norms and patriarchal practices. Child marriage is driven by cultural norms and practiced in part due to lack of options: EM women have fewer options to develop themselves aside from following the traditional role as a caregiver at home. While many legal frameworks exist for women and girls’ rights, they are not always fully understood, resourced or implemented, and continue to include gendered discriminatory aspects. Plan’s response is holistic, rights-based, inclusive and gender-transformative: activities address the root causes of gender inequality, provide opportunities for girls’ empowerment. Results are articulated around the promotion of a gender-equal, inclusive and resilient school environment; the development of skills and opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship; the promotion of protective communities. Adolescents and young people will be active drivers of change while being supported by stakeholders. Plan relies on evidence-based strategies: capacity-building of youth-led organizations and duty-bearers, teachers, leaders, caregivers; youth-led media sensitizations, advocacy, networking; peer-to-peer mentorship; GBV reporting mechanisms; material support to access technical and vocational training; digital literacy training; strengthened links between employment stakeholders and youth; climate change adaptation (CCA) Adolescent and young people, especially ethnic minority adolescent girls and young women (11-24) are economically and socially empowered to learn and thrive in a protective environment and live free from violence including in school and professional environment. They are expected to be active members of their communities, to have their own operational business or a sustainable job, to be surrounded by protective communities, and to report an increased sense of safety and well-being.