International Youth Day (IYD) takes place annually on the 12th of August, praising young people and their important contribution to our society. While it is, and should be, a day for celebration, there is no escaping the fact that our youth are currently under more pressure than ever.
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have already had a significant impact on young people in the UK. A quick look at a few key statistics paints a bleak picture –
In June 2020, 522,200 people aged 16-24 claimed unemployment related benefits. This was an increase of 280,400 claimants, or 116% from March 2020, when the UK lockdown began
One-third of 18-24-year-old employees (excluding students) have lost jobs or been furloughed, compared to one-in-six prime-age adults
35% of non-full-time student 18-24-year-old employees are earning less than they did prior to the outbreak, compared to 23% of 25-49-year-olds.
While the statistics above relate to all young people in the UK, our girls face many other challenges too. For example, 52% of girls in Wales have been sexually harassed in public with similar harassment in schools happening on a daily basis. As well as dealing with catcalling, being followed and even inappropriately touched in some cases, Welsh girls are also on the back foot when it comes to their future prospects. The gender pay gap in Wales currently stands at 14.5% while more than half of Universal Credit claimants are women.
From working with many young girls, we’ve seen first-hand how poverty, harassment and other issues can seriously impact the way they feel about their lives and futures. Struggling to find suitable employment could lead girls into sex work, drugs and other areas which leave them open to exploitation. This is why we’re calling for an end to gender-based exploitation and the start of a better future for vulnerable young girls in Wales this International Youth Day.
These girls are the potential mothers, nurses, teachers etc of the future and if they are to stand a chance, they need our support. We need to ensure that relevant funding and laws are in place to protect them and that young girls are given a platform for their voices to be heard. No girl should have to be harassed no matter where they are or what they are wearing and it’s time for such practices to be forced into the past. Neither should any girl feel that they have no option other than to sell themselves or pick up damaging and often life-threatening habits.
Ensuring that girls can access the resources needed to make positive life choices is vital and more focus is needed on creating plenty of opportunities for them. If we are to create a better Wales, we need to ensure that vulnerable young girls are able to feel excited about their futures and not like it’s over before it’s even began.
We work with many young girls and women through our Safer Wales Inclusive Service (SWIS), as well as being one of the delivery partners for Plan UK’s Champions of Wales programme. Champions of Wales aims build girls’ skills and confidence as well as their understanding of gender equality and rights.
SWIS is a project for young females aged 13-24 years and provides one-to-one and group work focused on encouraging positive lifestyle choices for those that are at risk of or experiencing exploitation. The project focuses on wellbeing and increasing resilience factors by activities that are suited to the needs of the group / individual. If you’re an individual or part of a community group that would like to know more, please contact Rachel Brydon (Safer Wales Youth Lead): rb@saferwales.com