As we mark International Youth Day, the future is at the fingertips of young people. India stands at the cusp of this transformation, a staggering 382 million young people between the ages of 10 and 24, ready to make their mark.
Young people today are embracing the opportunities that technology brings, including access to education, jobs, and quality information on sexual and reproductive health. They are not just consumers of information; but architects of change, using their voices to champion causes they passionately believe in.
In the contours of this ever changing-digital landscape, discover the stories of Shivani, Priyajit, Munna, and Kavita. They are emerging as leaders with their inspiring journeys that exemplify how young people are shaping an inclusive and safe digital world.
From On-ground to On-screen: Shivani's Digital Advocacy
“I have sensitized over 5,000 people on issues such as child marriage, menstrual hygiene, nutrition, substance abuse, iron supplements, and immunisation. I have also created over 50 vlogs to further spread these messages."
Hailing from Chattarpur in Madhya Pradesh, Shivani Trivedi wields the power of digital storytelling to ignite far-reaching positive change in her community. As a Digi Sakhi, a UNFPA India initiative, she has honed her skills in the utilization of social media tools, scriptwriting, photography, videography, and post-production. This expertise has not only empowered her, but she has also inspired other young girls from her village to join the platform themselves.
Her impact goes beyond sharing information. As a Saathiya, or Adolescent Peer Educator, under the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), she empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health and enable them with choice. Through the power of peer-to-peer connections, she has created a safe space for open dialogue.
Shivani's efforts have produced tangible outcomes, including a significant increase in client registrations at Umang Health Center's: a block-level counseling initiative. These centers offer essential services like walk-in counseling and crisis management, an initiative that was implemented for the first time in India here. Through her work she has emerged as a role model for young people of more than 50 villages in her district. She has completed her degree in LLB (a degree for law), and wants to continue working for young girls and boys in the future.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Priyajit's Tech-Empowered Journey
“When I discovered technological assistance, it brought me immense joy and helped me take steps toward feeling included. This experience inspired me to share these resources with other young people like me, and it continues to motivate me every day.”
Priyajit Mahali, a 15-year old young boy with a visual disability from Odisha, is not just a beneficiary of technology; he is a champion for it. With unwavering determination and the support of the Disability Innovation and Experience Lab (DIEL), Priyajit has shattered expectations. DIEL, an initiative by the Government of Odisha and UNFPA India, has been a game-changer. Through access to assistive technologies like Hexis, a revolutionary kindle-like reading device, ,tactile diagrams among other assistive tech, Priyajit has overcome obstacles in his pursuit of education and opportunities.
His journey is a witness to the groundbreaking power of technology. No longer confined by limitations, Priyajit is thriving academically and personally. A special summer camp organized at the Integrated Infrastructure Centre (IIC) in Jatni, the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, provided him with a platform to showcase his talents in public speaking. He also proudly told his story at UNFPA India's 'Youth Power Unleashed' themed 50- Year celebration.
Priyajit’s journey is a testament to the power of technology to create a more inclusive world. By leveraging assistive technologies, he is gaining the autonomy to live a life filled with dignity and purpose, while inspiring his peers to do the same.
Dispelling Myths through Social Media: Munna's Impact on his Community
“I use many channels to connect to young people, including youth groups on messaging apps as well as my own social media profile to make sure people have the right information with them to make correct choices about their health and well-being”
With a smartphone, unwavering resolve and accurate information about sexual and reproductive health, a young man is catalysing change in Sheikhpura, Bihar. Munna, a Youth Advisory Member (YAG) with UNFPA India and a dedicated community mobilizer, is committed to empowering individuals to make informed choices about their health and well-being. He creates safe spaces through community meetings for open discussions on critical health issues. Munna's exceptional dedication earned him a spot as one of four youth representatives at the prestigious G20 "Health of Youth, Wealth of Nation" event.
Munna's use of social media is strategic; he is building a community around issues that matter, fostering dialogue, and driving behavior change. He disseminates correct Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, dispels myths, and empowers young people with knowledge. His work demonstrates the impact that a dedicated individual can have when equipped with technology.
A Safer Digital world for girls: Kavita Meena’s vision for the future
“I believe that just as we work on empowering girls at the grassroots level, we should also educate them about their rights and freedoms online. This will enable them to navigate digital spaces safely and learn to use technology effectively”
An advocate for girls' empowerment, Kavita’s goal is to see a future that is gender-equal. Her passion shines brightly through her work as the District Brand Ambassador for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program in Sawai Madhopur. Kavita raises awareness about girls' rights, health, and education in her community, making a profound impact. Remarkably, at just fourteen, she was able to halt her best friend’s marriage by persuasively engaging her parents and rallying community leaders to her cause.
She was also recognized as a youth representative from Rajasthan at the G20 co-branded event, “Health of Youth, Wealth of Nation.” She believes that the next step is to translate on-ground work into the online world as more girls in India access mobile phones. Digital safety and rights, she believes, are paramount.
Shivani, Priyajit, Munna, and Kavita stories prove that India’s future is digital, and it belongs to these 368 million young people. As they navigate this landscape, they are building a future where every voice is heard, every potential is realised and no one is left behind.
Boilerplate
International Youth Day 2024: #YouthLead: Youth Leadership for Safe and Inclusive Digital Spaces
As a generation born into a digital world, young people are adept at harnessing the vast opportunities that technology offers to build a more inclusive present and future. Yet technological change also exacerbates digital divides and social inequalities. These gaps perpetuate age-old ills such as racism and misogyny, while exposing young people, especially adolescent girls, to heightened risks of gender-based violence facilitated by technology.
Young people have the power to make our digital and physical world more just, equal, peaceful and safe: This future is at their fingertips.
Digi Sakhi Initiative: The initiative trains young adolescents on how to become digital storytellers. The capacities of these young girls are built on how to use social media tools effectively, and the basics of scriptwriting, photography, videography and post production in Madhya Pradesh.
Peer Educator (PE) Programme: Under the PE programme, four peer educators (two boys and two girls) are selected per village/1000 population/ASHA habitation to reach out to adolescents. Each Saathiya forms a group of 15-20 boys or girls from their community and conducts weekly one to two hour participatory sessions using PE kits. Saathiya also maintains a diary, including a brief overview of each session and the number of participants.
The Disability Innovation and Experience Lab: An initiative by the Odisha government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), DIEL combines assistive technologies and innovation with educational activities to help improve the quality of life of youngsters with disabilities. The lab is an interdisciplinary innovation hub dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities, especially adolescents through experience and exposure to Assistive Technology.
