FEDERAL

REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA

“Dhalintu waa horseedka horumarka iyo xasiloonida” iyo horumarka horseedka waa “Dhalintu

Ee Soomaaliya Ee

Federaalka Dowladda Siyaasadda Qaran Ee Dhalinyarada Dhalinyarada Ee Qaran Siyaasadda

The National Youth Policy of The Federal Government of Somalia

“Youth are change makers for development and stability”

FEDERAALKA SOOMAALIYA FEDERAALKA JAMHUURIYADDA The National Youth Policy of The Federal Government of Somalia

“Youth are change makers for development and stability” Contents

Minister’s Message...... 1

1. Introduction...... 3 1.1 Background...... 3 1.2 Purpose and Justification of this Policy...... 4 1.3 The Main Areas of Focus...... 5 1.4 Description of Youth...... 6 1.5 Historic Reflections...... 6 1.6 Current challenges hindering development...... 6 1.7 Policy Setting...... 7

2. Policy Vision, Guiding Principles & Goals...... 9 2.1 Policy Vision...... 9 2.2 Guiding Principles...... 9 2.3 Policy Goals...... 9

3. Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions...... 11 3.1 Strengthening Education and Skills Development ...... 11 3.2 Raising Employment Creation and Economic Development...... 12 3.3 Peace and Security...... 14 3.4 Promotion and Strengthening of health and quality lifestyle ...... 14 3.5 Protection and Safety of Youth ...... 16 3.6 Improving Youth Participation and Citizenship...... 18 3.7. Justice and Youth Conflict with the Law...... 18

4. Priority Target Groups...... 21

5. Policy Implementation & Coordination...... 23

6. Rights and Responsibilities of Youth...... 25

7. Conclusion...... 27 Minister’s Message

Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Federal The objectives of National Youth Policy are: Government of Somalia is honored to successfully accomplish the National Youth Policy as the process 1. Enhance the capacity and knowledge was initiated in 2010 and its development has been development of the young people to enable going on for last seven years. When Peace and Life them to access the services they need. Government (Nabad iyo Nolol) comes to power, 2. To foster a sense of patriotism in young people the process has been resumed and accelerated to to become tomorrow’s growth agents while fruitfully complete the development of the National cultivating them a sense of personal development Youth Policy. and the security of the country to stimulate stability and better living standard. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also horned that 3. To support youth participation in development a National Policy developed for the youth has been opportunities for all and all levels – local, national presented to a functioning cabinet ministers for and international. the first time in the history and it is a historic event accomplished by the FGS that a National Policy for Likewise, the key priority interventions include: the Youth is in place for the first time. 1. Strengthening Education and Skill Training The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the FGS is 2. Employment Creation thankful to:- 3. Economic Participation, and Poverty reduction 4. Healthy and Quality Lifestyle 1. Ministries of Youth and Sports of the Federal 5. Protection and Guidance for Youth Member States of the Federal Government of 6. Justice and law Somalia. 7. Terrorism 2. Benadir Regional Administration and the Benadir 8. Migration Youth Organization. 9. Unemployment 3. Umbrellas and the Independent Somali Youth 10. Environmental Protection Organizations. 11. Youth participation and leadership and etc. 4. Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments and Somali Religious Leaders. Finally, after a long coordinated efforts, we successfully 5. And other relevant ministries. concluded the development of the National Youth Policy in a meeting attended by all stakeholders (The Throughout the process of setting the National Youth Ministry of Youth and Sports of the FGS and Minsters Policy to involve them in the consultative meetings of Youth and Sports of the Federal Member States, and data collection that they have well contributed. former MPs and some representatives from the civil society) held in Baidoa, the provisional capital city of We also extend our gratitude to UNFPA and MERCY South-west State of Somalia, the policy was approved CORPS/USAID who supported the development of in Garowe, capital city of Puntland State. the National Youth Policy. Thank you! Hon. Khadija Mohamed Diriye Minister of Youth and Sports of the Federal Government of Somalia

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 1 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 2 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Introduction

1. Introduction yy To create space and opportunities for young people to discuss their own issues and voice their The widespread problems faced by Somali concerns and aspirations youth, which include: unemployment, insecurity, yy Promoting young people’s participation in radicalization and extremism, forced irregular decision-making processes at all levels migration, lack of quality education and vocational training, health services, etc. The consultation meetings were held with various organizations such as the Acknowledging that Somali youth are unable to realize their rights and access the basic services they yy Banadir Youth Organization need. yy Independent Youth Organizations yy Religious leaders Considering that there was no clear policy which yy Youth special needs organizations reflects the needs and aspirations of Somali youth yy Civil service organizations and that it is important to develop policies that yy The National Women Organization endeavor to address the issues affecting young and yy University Student Unions creating opportunities for the youth to reach their yy Social service provers (Line ministries) maximum potential. yy State governments (Ministries of Youth and Sports) The Ministry of Youth and Sports decided The information came from those meetings we will yy To develop a national youth policy that guides detail in the next section this policy report. on youth issues fully reflects the needs of young people and services they need to be delivered 1.1 Background yy This policy should be the basis for all programs to help young people According to the Population Estimation Survey for yy In order to be easier for all government institutions Somalia (PESS) carried out between October 2013 to collaborate on basic services that young people to March 2014, out of the total population of 12.3 need to improve their lives and their futures, this percent, 45.6 percent of the Somali population was policy would be established below the age of 15 and 81 percent was below the age of 35, which reveals a youthful population.1 The Ministry began to hold consultation meetings Desirable changes in state development thus directly and data collection to investigate the youth problems relate to how we develop and empower the youth so as to prepare information that could be used in the who are the potential productive labour force and development of a national youth policy which would the agents of change. reflect the needs of young people and the services they need. The objectives of National Youth Policy are: The large youthful population has been vulnerable to various national problems, including violence, yy To design strategies and policies that are effective, immigration, and terrorism. In terms of security can be maintained, and have a degree of flexibility and the prolonged civil wars, the youth have been in the development of youth exploited by clan agendas and terrorist groups like yy Enhance the capacity of the ministries involved in Al-Shabaab whose name can be translated to “Youth” the development of young people to be able to to bear the sense of belonging among the youth. access the services they need These groups recruit, use, abuse and kill Somali young yy To promote knowledge development of young people. Many young people have not been educated people to enhance their future growth and been excluded from governance, peace building yy To foster a sense of patriotism in young people to and state building. The youth need to become active become tomorrow’s growth agents citizens and be provided with necessary services by yy To support youth participation in development the government to be protected from vulnerability opportunities for all and all levels – local, national

and international 1 Population Estimation Survey for Somalia. United Nations Population Fund, 2014.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 3 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Introduction

and radicalization activities and to lead positive and the responsibility of society to its youth. The NYP productive youthful life. recognizes that both female and male Somali youth face enormous challenges in every facet of their lives. Somali youth have not been afforded the opportunity Similarly, the NYP also recognizes that the youth to develop to their full potential and access the have been considerably underutilized and have opportunities that enable them to grow, develop and not received their rightful share of the available prosper as fully engaged, responsive and productive national resources. The NYP also seeks to facilitate citizens. During the civil war and stateless decades, the youth’s positive contribution and creativeness the youth didn’t get the opportunities to improve for communal and national development. their wellbeing or access quality education which is applicable to the needs of their country. This will make The National Youth Policy is based upon a two-year them vulnerable to the overflowing problems in the progression made possible through the compliant environment they lived in like violence, immigration, efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, civil terrorism, illiteracy, exclusion from the governance society organizations, relevant line ministries, the system, peace building operations and specific youth – university students, NGOs, intellectuals, the obstacles to Young women include early marriage, UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth and the lack of decision-making power on family planning media. Consultation meetings were conducted and and family preference of educating boys than girls. its objectives were to collect concrete information and hear from the youth themselves to express their This National Youth Policy is an affirmation of sentiments, share their objectives and ingeniously commitment from the Federal Government of devising the future of the youth in Somalia. Such Somalia to its youth population that it is setting and consultations with the key stakeholders were the meeting the priorities and development needs of basis for the development of National Youth Policy its youth both men and women. The national youth since the role of sponsors is vital all the way through policy defines objectives, strategies, actual steps, the design, formulation, implementation, reviews, target groups, key government institutions which monitoring and evaluation phases. will play vital roles in implementation mechanisms. It defines the role of the youth in their country and the The development of this National Youth Policy for responsibility of our society to its youth. Somalia not only recognizes the value and significance of its youth but is an effort to craft policy which visibly The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2017-2021 is part of shows the ultimate need for youth and providing a a global movement to formulate policies specifically framework and focuses for youth development by all targeting young people to address the changing stakeholders. Finally, the below issues and objectives circumstances in which they find themselves. were derived from the consultation meetings held As countries worldwide engage in a process of and youth representation was given importance. developing/renewing youth policy, the NYP 2017- 2021 pursues to promote both the particular needs 1.2 Purpose and Justification of this and circumstances of the Somali youth and the Policy universal youth community. Somalia youth face many challenges and there This NYP signifies a declaration and commitment are a lot of factors affecting youth, such as limited by the Federal Government of Somalia with regard employment opportunities/unemployment, violence to its intentions concerning its priorities, directions and insecurity, low education quality, corruption and concrete support for youth development over and injustice, and political and administrative the next five years by setting the priorities and institutions dominated by adults in which youth meeting development needs of both the female are underrepresented. A large proportion of the and male youths. The NYP defines objectives, youth population in Somalia comes from rural areas strategies, actual steps, target groups and key (pastoralists and agro-pastoralists) and are moving government institutions that will play a vital role to the urban areas (cities) when the quality of their in implementation mechanisms. It also defines the livelihoods degraded due to famine and droughts role and responsibility of the youth in their country which also affected the national economy since

4 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Introduction

their production was vital. These youth have limited The Goals of the National Youth Policy 2017- education and marketable skills for entering the work 2021 is therefore to: force within the country and overseas. The overall goal of the policy is to promote youth Regardless of the fact that youth are a majority of the participation in all sphere of development to ensure population and that they are seen as a potential labor they attain their full potential. force, there is no existing youth policy or operational documents to address the needs of youth in a long The objectives of the policy are: term manner and there are an overlap and weak collaboration between government ministries and yy Identify gaps in the Somalia youth development organizations towards the development of youth. and the current policy and propose strategic Therefore, the need to develop a youth policy that policy interventions designed to fill them, thus influences and improves the quality of education and speeding up further development of youth training, employment and living standards for youth yy Sensitize and guide government institutions is a top priority. That is why this national youth policy and civil society toward youth development represents the way that the federal government of and acknowledge the leadership of young men Somalia foresees the future of its people and, mainly and women in developing youth-led initiatives – that of youth. initiatives led by and for youth in partnership with governments at all levels and civil society The NYP is explicitly intended to close the gaps, yy Create a proper condition for youth to participate address the challenges and recommend the new in democratic processes in the country measure to improve and accelerate implementation yy Support initiative and programs that empower thereby making major strides in the development of youth to be an active citizen young people by ensuring that they assume their yy Identify challenges and constraint faced by Somali rightful place in building a prosperous and democratic youth that impedes progress Somalia. The NYP is an important investment for yy Enabling the government to give priority to the future, protection, and endurance of youth, youth development and display its commitment countering violent extremism and terrorism, peace to national youth development, through the building and conflict resolution, country rebuilding, creation of appropriate policy implementation improvement of productivity, reinforcement of mechanisms and the allocation of sufficient health services, democracy and elections, ecological resources; and reform, encouragement and cultural protection, yy Encourage an understanding amongst the social justice, and development. regional and district administrations to develop a plan of action to enable them to play a positive The NYP will offer a set of strategic priorities and role in strategic objectives of this national youth commendations as a way forward in the overall policy concept of youth development converting into actionable points hence ensuring that youth realize 1.3 The Main Areas of Focus their full potential, at the same time contributing to the development of their country. The main areas of the NYP include seven priority thematic areas, each with specific strategic objectives The Federal Government of Somalia declares the and key priority interventions, namely: significance of the active participation of youth in state development, establishing the unique and 1. Strengthening education and skills development; parallel roles of all government ministries, the civil 2. Raising employment creation and economic society organizations and youth groups in youth development; development. 3. Security and Peace 4. Promoting healthy lifestyles; 5. Protection of Youth 6. Improving youth participation and citizenship 7. Justice and reintegration of youth in conflict with the law

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 5 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Introduction

The Somali NYP also highlights a set of rights and groups based on families which finally resulted in responsibilities for Somalia’s youth. the state out of the country collapsing into a civil war which continued for a long time. 1.4 Description of Youth Young people were the most troubling part of the This National Youth Policy focuses on the Somali fighting, up to date they are used for terrorist acts. This youth between 15 and 40 years old. This age policy is to treat the problems facing young people group represents the significant stage in life when to become full participants in the development of transitions to different statuses and environments their community. – from childhood to adulthood, from school to work, from dependence to independence – take place. It is 1.6 Current challenges hindering a population group that needs special attention and development interventions to ensure these transitions are smooth and meaningful for each and every young person in Somalia currently experiences a range of issues Somalia. that are hindering the development of the country socially, economically, and politically. These issues Somalia youth experience different circumstances need to be considered since credible responses are and opportunities depending on their socio- fundamental to the development and protection of economic status, gender, abilities and geographic the youth emphasized in the NYP. The Somali youth location. While this Policy seeks to provide a vision, represent the most vulnerable group to these issues. framework, and set of critical interventions that targets all young people in the 15 to 40 year age yy Fragile public institutions – The majority of group, it is recognised that certain groups of young public institutions are facing scarce financial and people deserve special attention, namely youth human resources. Due to the prolonged civil war, with disabilities; youth living with Aids ; orphans the government facilities are devastated and and vulnerable youth; marginalized youth; internally reconstruction is needed displaced youth; nomadic youth; and unemployed yy Climate change and environment destruction – youth; Somalia experiences recurrent climate challenges, including drought, floods, and desertification. 1.5 Historic Reflections Excess use of natural resources and charcoal for fuel and overall poor environmental management The freedom that Somalia got in 1960 came after a has led to the poor environment long struggle and bloodshed , and many freedom yy Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) – currently fighters sacrificed their lives for the nation to get two persons in five are either an IDP or a returnee. freedom, while at the time Africa a fierce battle for Such people are living on the margins of freedom from the European colonizers referred to as society, with limited resources and employment the “freedom revolution in Africa” . opportunities yy Radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism On 15th May 1943, 13 young people from overseas – The Somali youth are among those who were selected to represent the party called SYC suffered from radicalization and violent extremism (Somali Youth Club) or association of the people activities due to their vulnerability resulting from of Somalia, which later became Somali Youth low level of education, unemployment, and the Association of SYL (Somali Youth League), in May fact that during the prolonged civil war the only 1947, which formally took the name SYL. July 1, 1960, employment available was being an insurgent the two Somali governments got freedom and joined yy Patriarchal structures - provide limited opportunity to form the Republic of Somalia. A bloodless Coup for young women to partake in decision making led by armed forces followed where military came (community, family planning, higher education, into power and built a government that was led by full employment). Traditional norms such as FGM a 25-member Revolutionary Council. Problems arose increases infant and maternal mortality or life long in the government and military attacks against some health issues. In summary, a large proportion of of the clans ensued which led to the formation of the people (girls and women) can’t develop to

6 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Introduction

their full potential, do not fully contribute to the labor force/ economic development and increase demand for reproductive health care Hence hindering development

1.7 Policy Setting

The NYP of the Federal Government of Somalia is influenced by a number of international and national policies and declarations, including the Professional Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Somali National Education Policy. Furthermore, the NYP reflects the direction of a variety of declarations and statements that indicate the importance of and given instructions about the development of specific youth policies, including the Lisbon Declaration on Youth Policies and Programmes, the African Youth Charter, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),the Sustainable Development Goals and the first Global Forum for Youth Policies and the Baku Commitment to Youth Policies.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 7 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 8 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Policy Vision, Guiding Principles & Goals

2. Policy Vision, Guiding The NYP has adopted the following seven goals, Principles & Goals namely; a. To strengthen effective collaboration and 2.1. Policy Vision coordination between all youth development stakeholders to achieve desired concrete youth The statement below is a summary of the vision as a development. result of the implementation of the NYP: b. To nurture the active participation and leadership of young women and men, and youth “Realization of a Somalia society where all its youth organizations in the duties and responsibility of men and women met their basic needs then both individual and national development. became confident with a strong sense of identity c. To infuse in youth patriotism and prepare them to and loyalty to their peaceful and prosperous be responsible citizens that care for their families nation and its Islamic values and culture. A and communities and value Human Rights and country where the rights of Youth are protected Gender Equality principles. and have equal opportunities to participate in d. To support young people, youth groups, all democratic processes while having unlimited and youth organizations that require special access to education, health, social, employment attention, especially young women, youth with opportunities and sporting”. disabilities, etc, to ensure they have access to equitable opportunities for development to their 2.2. Guiding Principles full potential. e. To stand for national unity , respect for diversity The following guiding principles express the and prepare a tailored made intervention critical core values upon which the NYP goals respectively. and recommended interventions are derived. It is f. To encourage active participation of the youth in obligatory to observe, safeguard and admit these activities for re-building the country. guiding principles to achieve the vision of the NYP. g. To ensure coordination and mainstreaming. These guiding principles are: different policies serving the youth. yy Islamic faith yy Sovereignty of Somalia yy Respect for and pride in the identity, culture, and traditions of Somalia yy Good governance and respect for Human Rights yy Youth participation and leadership yy Youth empowerment and engagement yy Protection of environment, land and sea yy Inclusivity regarding youth development yy Gender Equality yy Comprehensive adopting a holistic approach

2.3. Policy Goals

The National Youth Policy goals are investing and empowering the youth population by in-depth analysis of their needs, to ensure participation and collaborative interventions on youth issues. It will also focus on developing wide-ranging programs to unite the different institutions delivering services to youth to attain the intended results in social, economic and political development. This National Youth Policy has adopted seven goals, namely –

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 9 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 10 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

3. Priority Themes and The critical issues in education and skill training Strategic Interventions include: yy Quality of teacher and poor remuneration This NYP of Somalia seeks to provide a direction yy Curriculum quality and framework for all institutions committed to yy Limited educational opportunities for nomadic youth development. Young Somalis faces immense young people challenges, to start solving these challenges the yy Need for facility renewal and upgrade priority areas of the NYP are: yy Educational accessibility by young people with disabilities 1. Strengthening education and skills development; yy Shortage of vocational training schools and 2. Raising employment creation and economic teachers development; yy Investment in education and Role of student 3. Security and Peace councils 4. Promoting healthy lifestyles; yy Educational strategies for school dropouts 5. Protection of Youth especially girls 6. Improving youth participation and citizenship yy Low enrolment in Non-Formal Education 7. Justice and reintegration of youth in conflict with yy Lack of career education and counseling the law yy Education for youth with special needs

3.1. Strengthening Education and Skills Strategic Objective 1: Development Increase Accessibility and Student Participation Overview by Making Education More Engaging And More Readily Available to All. “Lack of education is a lack of light” the popular saying went. Since the 1991 civil war, a lot of Key Priority Interventions: extreme damage has been felt in terms of education infrastructure,the central government’s ability to 1. To unify the curriculum they teach in private deliver social services especially education, However, schools and the public to improve quality. since the collapse of the last central government all 2. To promote and improve the quality of education youth have experienced a lack of access to education in schools and universities, teachers, teacher which has led to problems of violence and equality training to produce young professionals and across the Somali community. In education, there are academics. two confounding factors, first many children, and 3. To increase the number of teachers who have young people participated in the conflict or fled to been certified (attended required teacher seek refuge elsewhere, thus education was no longer training courses). accessible, for this reason, governmental educational 4. To improve and rehabilitate the existing schools institutions collapsed in 1991. It is due to this lack of and educational institutions and build new ones. access to education that millions of children have 5. Promoting education by increasing the state grown up illiterate which led to many problems, The budget to pay teachers’ salaries. second confounding factor is poor-quality education, 6. Provision of accessible secondary education (to which affected all areas, in education since the quality increase the level by 35% percent in 2021). declined significantly during this era and this has 7. To ensure that all vulnerable youth (poor, IDPs, been inherited in the present. Both of these factors marginalized groups and orphans) receive the shall be discussed in the remaining unit. education they need. 8. Promoting educational opportunities for teachers. 9. Encouragement of education for youth with disabilities and support their needs. 10. Monitoring the quality of education in private schools.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 11 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

11. Establishment of boarding and mobile schools to Key Priority Interventions: ensure that youth in the rural areas have access to basic education. 1. Expand the system of technical/Vocational 12. Promote equal access to education for boys and training institutions throughout all regions in girls Somalia. 13. Provide for specific reintegration programs for 2. Setting sex-disaggregated student enrollment girls that dropped out due to family pressure, targets for TVET annually and seeking small early marriage, early motherhood, etc. business investment programs so that they 14. Provide special measures for girls to attain contribute more in the market. higher education, encourage curriculums and 3. Encourage greater involvement of the private school material that doesn’t reinforce gender sector in supporting and investing in TVET. stereotypes, sex education, sexual harassment 4. Assist linking technical / vocational training to policies for students and teachers etc. local labor market opportunities and needs. 15. Build schools for youth with special needs such 5. Support to technical equipment for the technical/ as the mentally handicapped children. vocational education and training to produce 16. Develop awareness programs so parents know qualified technicians. the importance and benefits of education. 6. Improve the quality and diversify the skills of the 17. To seek subsidy for free education program by TVET education schools. the help and collaboration of the international community such as the World Bank, the Islamic 3.2. Raising Employment Creation and Development Bank, United Nations, Arab League Economic Development and other international organizations interested to support Somalia. Overview 18. Promote student-led organizing within the schools to encourage youth leadership. The high unemployment rate in Somalia is the main expression of poverty. After analyzing and Strategic Objective 2: considering the results of the consultation meetings, unemployment has been identified to be one of Empower the Non-Formal Education Sector(NPE) the main challenges Somalia suffers. When the and Expand It in all the Regions of Somalia Somali regime collapsed in 1991, people awaked up to a situation where all the government Key priority interventions: institutions ceased to exist and the unemployment cycle started to affect everyone. The statelessness 1. Develop high-quality curriculum for the NFE. and the prolonged civil war produced 70 to 80 2. Establish national structure for the NFE. percent unemployment among the youth. This 3. Awareness for prospective students of NFE. critical situation led to mass migration abroad of 4. Building the capacity of NFE schools and teachers the productive young population seeking better through training, facilities such as the One Stop opportunities. Youth Resource Centres. 5. Encourage rurally and urban communities to The need for job creation initiatives was the most expand non-formal education. common request by young people during the consultations. Strategic Objective 3: The critical issues for this priority area include: Expand Opportunities for Technical/Vocational Education and Training (TVET). yy Lack of National Youth Employment Strategy yy Lack of Labor Act enforcement yy Nepotism and corruption yy Lack of youth centers for counseling and employment promotion

12 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

yy Limited income generation opportunities and parliamentarians, directors, ambassadors, officials economic activity sector and advisors. yy Limited skills and training opportunities yy High inflation rates Strategic Objective 3: yy Encourage and mobilize the Somali Diaspora as an economic investment source Promote Youth Self Employment as A Career Alternative. Strategic Objective 1: Key Priority Interventions: Promote the Development of Labour Act. 1. Promotion and organize awareness programs on Key Priority Interventions: employment and labour market. 2. Provision of appropriate training courses for the 1. Developing and enforce the Labour Act that needs of the labour market. promotes equal opportunities for young men 3. Enhance TVET schools. and women. 4. Create of income generation and investment 2. Developing active labour market policies attuned activities through the launch of a gender to the Somali context. responsive youth loan fund for start-up their own 3. Promote the business sector to play their role in businesses. youth employment and creation of opportunities. 5. Create platforms, systems for self-employment 4. Campaign for the elimination of nepotism and i.e. SME and informal sector support, corruption in the labour market. entrepreneurship programmes, credit schemes etc. Strategic Objective 2: Strategic Objective 4: Promote Youth Employment Creation Led by the Government Create Linkages Between Education, Training Institutions, and the Local Labour Markets. Key Priority Interventions: Key Priority Interventions: 1. The government must develop a gender responsive youth employment strategy to plan 1. Ensuring the education curriculums is relevant the creation of yearly employment. to respond the needs of the country. (courses 2. The Private sector should take their part for job should be applied instead of more theoretical). creation and employment of youth. 2. Establish school-based career counseling 3. Youth should be given employment in all services. government agencies military, NISA, and Police 3. Establish and maintain a robust labour market so their energy is utilized towards security, information system to inform trades and stabilization and nation rebuilding efforts. occupation training in the TVET system. 4. The government should recruit the right people 4. Preparing a platform and linkage between for its positions regardless of his/her clan, gender employers and education institutions. ,or where they belong to. 5. Research and monitor local labour market needs 5. The education quality must be reviewed and so that youth base their education discipline boosted. choice in line with the areas where the need is 6. Create a youth income (income generation). high. 7. The international organizations and the United 6. Provide equal opportunities for young women Nations should play a big role in the employment and men, and offer incentives to encourage creation for youth and reduce a large number of employers to employ young qualified women. expatriates for the country positions. 7. Develop gender responsive recruitment/ human 8. Young men and women should be allowed resources strategies. and encouraged to become ministers, 8. Increase the capacity of local government and its partners to undertake labour market assessments

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 13 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

3.3. Peace and Security 8. Respect and include IDPs. 9. Engage young women and men in decision- Overview making processes at all levels. 10. Create registration process for light weapons The youth are aware that it is fundamental to achieve 11. Promote the participation of youth in community security and peace in Somalia and express strong policing. desires to be active participants in the peace building 12. develop safe spaces for youth in rural and urban efforts. However, when the safety and security of areas. young people are not guaranteed, many of them can be brainwashed, radicalized and used for violent 3.4. Promotion and Strengthening of and criminal activities organized by groups who take health and quality lifestyle advantage of the youth vulnerability. Overview The critical issues for this priority area include: Good health and quality of life for the Somali youth yy Inadequate employment opportunities is important for them to participate and play a yy Youth radicalization crucial role in sustainable state-building. The most yy Violent extremism and terrorism significant issues raised during consultations were yy khat addiction khat addiction often followed by HIV/AIDS and yy High inflation malnutrition. Although HIV/AIDS is low in relation to yy Drug and substance abuse (khat, alcohol) the neighboring countries, there is fear of an increase yy Clan based conflict in the prevalence since the country’s borders are open yy Resource-based disputes(water and grassing) and unprotected. This will pose a threat to the youth yy Politicians quest for power who are the labor force and the future of the nation yy Societal structure and discrimination

Strategic Objective 1: The critical issues for this priority area include:

Create Opportunities For Youth To Contribute To yy Cost of health services is high Peace Building And Stability. yy Inadequate sexual reproductive health services that are youth friendly Key Priority Interventions: yy Limited health promotion, education and prevention programs 1. Fully involve young women and men in peace yy Stigma and discrimination against people living and state-building processes from the early with HIV/AIDS planning stages, all the way to its implementation yy Insufficient budget and health investment and monitoring. yy High rates of proven curable diseases – diarrhea, 2. Deliver alternative training,employment, respiratory infections, tuberculosis rehabilitation and reintegration programs yy High malnutrition levels targeting youth in conflict with the law. yy Lack of school nutrition programs 3. Involve youth in a campaign to counter violent yy Limited awareness of preventative health extremism and terrorism. measures 4. Develop appropriate school curriculum and yy Violence against young women including sexual course related issues of security and peace. violence 5. Application of national ID card for reference as yy Negative social and cultural norms security measure. yy Inaccessibility of health services 6. Encourage youth to fully observe law and order yy Limited health services to nomadic people and and support the law enforcement agencies. internally displaced persons 7. Provide training to the youth on peace building, yy Rise of gangs and drop out e.g. street children. conflict resolution, security and countering yy Risk and effect of HIV/AIDS prevalent violent extremism. yy Drug and khat abuse

14 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

yy Detrimental traditional practices (FGM) Strategic Objective 2: yy Poor hygiene and sanitation practices yy Inadequate qualified health specialists Prevent and Control the Spread of HIV/AIDS and yy Insufficiency of gyms and fitness centers in Mitigate Against The Societal Impacts. Somalia yy Absence of fitness opportunities for female youth Key Priority Interventions:

Strategic Objective 1: 1. Fully endorse and support the Joint UN Team on AIDS (UNAIDS) work plan, and strengthening the Enable All Young People are Able To Access work of the Somali National AIDS Commission. Information, Education, Counselling And Support 2. Regularly gather, analyze and disseminate Services In The Areas Of Youth Health Priorities. information about the HIV and AIDS epidemic. 3. Target the most at risk populations with high- Key Priority Interventions: quality prevention, treatment and core services. 4. Upgrade training of youth health service 1. Create a youth health service that provides providers to work efficiently with the most at-risk preventative health support in the form of populations. information, education and counseling services 5. Campaign against the stigma and discrimination in such areas as reproductive health, drug abuse, that young people living with HIV and AIDS abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. suffer. 2. Enhance health and nutrition feeding initiatives 6. Review, amend, enact and enforce Anti- within schools. discrimination legislation. 3. Generate improved strategic information and 7. Strengthen awareness, capacity and advocacy data about youth health status and challenges. skills amongst NGO’s, local government, religious, 4. Improve access to health services to nomadic political and community leaders regarding youth populations. greater HIV prevention and support. 5. Promote the empowerment of women to 8. Develop formal and nonformal education increase their decision-making power in regards curriculum support materials and services. to reproductive health and access to justice. 9. Strengthen and support youth peer education 6. Raise awareness and promote initiatives that programs and networks. reduce all forms of violence against women and 10. Simplify and encourage marriage. girls including FGM, domestic violence, sexual 11. Educate basic conduct of Islamic faith. offenses. 7. Create/establish physical exercise in schools and Strategic Objective 3: local communities. 8. Include healthy style topics in the national Campaign To Lessen Khat Chewing And Smoking education curriculum. Addiction And Other Substance Abuse 9. Ensure recruitment of medical professionals in the health institutions and the ministry of health. Key Priority Interventions: 10. Public health hospitals and centers should be prioritized according to the working hours than 1. Use media campaigns were religious and the private centers. traditional leaders, poets participate in peer 11. Quality control Act of medicine must be initiated education programs to raise awareness of the 12. Increase awareness rising for the prevention hazards of khat and other drugs. and treatment of HIV and AIDS and other 2. Advocate for legislation and by-laws to limit khat communicable diseases. chewing and smoking. 13. Create urban and rural spaces for youth to access 3. Ban smoking and khat chewing in all educational, information, training, and other services. youth and sporting institutions. 4. Create affordable rehabilitation and detoxification centers.

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5. To campaign and promote to raise the national protection and other environmental preservation sales tax on the Khat and the other drugs to activities utilize this income for development working hours according to civil service Act or labour The critical issues for this priority area include: code should be adopted 6. Regulation of drug abuse to restrict consumption Migration of khat in the workplace. yy Underlying root causes of illegal immigrants 3.5. Protection and Safety of Youth ƒƒ Lack of employment opportunities ƒƒ Brain drain influence Overview ƒƒ Lack of market research before investing – a large number of start-ups fail in a short period Somalia experiences significant emigration of its youth of time population, fleeing poverty and lack of employment ƒƒ Influence among the youth opportunities. Many are illegal immigrants who take ƒƒ Unfair recruitment process extreme risks to reach their dream of a better life. ƒƒ Absence of effective employment policies Most are young people, who represent a continuing ƒƒ The youth’s perception of life in the western ‘brain drain’ from the country. The root causes of this countries (Quest for better life) continuous emigration need interventions to address ƒƒ Lack of patriotism these problems. Sports and Recreation Widespread unemployment, violence, and poor judgment with emotional immaturity, has forced yy Gender bias, stereotyping and discrimination in many young people to migrate and seek asylum in sports a foreign nation for their search of better future. 50% yy Limited sports and recreation facilities or centers of these young Somali migrants are believed to die Partial types of sport tournaments during illegal migration. yy Limited sports options for youth with disabilities yy Lack of community enthusiasm and understanding Sports and recreation are very important factors for of sport importance youth since this provides opportunities to socialize, build social connections, counter boredom, spend Environment their time productively, develop character and learn new skills and teamwork. They also shape mental and yy Effect of climate change and global warming physical wellbeing of the youth. There are limited yy Destructive behaviors towards environment sponsored government youth centers. Inadequate yy Charcoal production and tree destruction sporting facilities and programs are similarly limited, yy Soil erosion especially for young females. Strategic Objective 1: Youth radicalization and violent extremism are the challenges facing young people and the country in Focus on Alternative Options for Youth to Reduce general. Protection and safety of youth from the harm Immigration. of extremism is crucial through the collaboration and coordination between governmental agencies, civil Priority Interventions: society, the international community and the youth themselves. 1. Develop National Employment policy and its plan of action. The environmental destruction is a rising alarm for 2. Develop labor market relevant technical and the realization of sustainable development. The vocational education and training options. consultation process strongly endorsed the need for 3. Engage youth in designing alternative potentials. more focus and activities related to climate change, 4. Set up a “youth friendly Centers - Youth Clubs” soil degradation, water conservation, charcoal use, where they can come and seek advice. deforestation, plastic bag elimination, heritage 5. Use the media to raise awareness on the dangers

16 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions

of illegal immigration as well as to promote recreational and sporting programs to the existing opportunities in Somalia. personal development of both young men and 6. Awareness rising among the parents/friends/and women. relatives to suspend financial assistance to the 6. Provide greater support and direction to youth immigrating youth. and sports centers to enable them to become more friendly and conducive to young people Strategic Objective 2: with special needs. 7. Create safe spaces for sports in urban and rural Encourage the Diaspora to Invest in their Country. areas.

Priority Interventions: Strategic Objective 4:

1. Organize a yearly conference of the Diaspora Enhance Environmental (Land And Sea) Knowledge with a focus on youth development initiatives, And Awareness Among Somali Youth. where Diaspora members should also provide a real picture of life in Diaspora. Priority Interventions: 2. Encourage youth members of the Diaspora to return back to Somalia to apply their newly 1. Youth should support government agencies acquired skills in short and long term projects assigned to the rescue and protection of the (mentoring local youth to duplicate what is in environment. the west). 2. Preparation of an environmental protection 3. Develop exchange programs/internships to training. educate Somalia youth and enable them to 3. The engagement of young people to visit projects return with skills to their country. in other countries to study. 4. Start media programs that promote Somalia and 4. Organize events where youth gather to share spread it to Diaspora to attract more investment the knowledge and awareness of environmental and visitors. protection. 5. Prepare a documentary on the tragedy of deadly 5. To support the sanitation and garbage collection immigration attempts. from local governments and companies to keep our cities clean. Strategic Objective 3: 6. Establish umbrella for NGOs working to strengthen environmental protection. Empower A Youth Sports And Recreation Strategy Which Enhances Access, Equity And Opportunity For Somali Youth. Strategic Objective 5:

Key Priority Interventions: Encourage The Active Involvement And Leadership By Young People In Environmental Initiatives. 1. Strengthening sports and restarting the interregional, regional and national tournaments Priority Interventions: for both male and female athletes. 2. Reinforcement of arts, music, and the Somali 1. Enhance school curriculum in regard to culture. environmental education. 3. Increase the opportunities for young women 2. Conduct media campaign jointly led by youth and men to engage in a diverse range of sports and media outlets to promote environmental and sporting competitions including soccer, awareness. basketball, volleyball and athletics. 3. Appropriate training for pastoralists, fishermen, 4. Support the development of a network of youth farmers and all the people of Somalia to resource centers. increase their productivity while protecting 5. Instigate media awareness programs to raise our environment to achieve sustainable awareness amongst parents and community development. and religious leaders of the importance of 4. To promote public awareness campaign based

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practices to reduce environmental damage. to promote the principles and priorities of 5. To produce clear procedure on charcoal citizenship. production and encouraging other forms of 7. Provide forums and training opportunities for environmental friendly energies. young people to develop leadership skills. 6. Building and protecting historic sites. Strategic Objective 2: 3.6. Improving Youth Participation and Citizenship Strengthen The Awareness Of Youth And The Wider Community Regarding Active And Responsible Overview Citizenship.

Youth in Somalia have demonstrated a commitment Key Priority Interventions: to participate in community and national affairs. All International declarations related to youth 1. Strengthen school curriculum relating to development are dedicated to the need to create an citizenship and Islamic values education. environment to enable young people to participate 2. Encourage initiatives which engage young in the lead. people in the practice of mutual respect and tolerance, including gender equality. The critical issues for this priority area include: 3. Identify and implement programs and actions that build national patriotism. yy Limited youth participation opportunities 4. Develop and implement values education/ yy Lack of youth representation in political structures citizenship component of the school curriculum. yy Lack of civic education programs in curriculum 5. Create community opportunities for the yy Lack of volunteerism / community services ethos discussion by young people of civic/citizenship yy Recognition of, and respect for youth contribution issues. yy Importance of building national patriotism 6. Strengthen the media coverage of themes yy Youth rights and responsibilities related to citizenship. yy Cultural restrictions on participation 7. Support youth programs that strengthen the yy Lack of youth self-mobilization and self-awareness principles and practice of active citizenship by to their fundamental rights young people in the community and national life. Strategic Objective 1: 8. Build upon the experiences of o t h e r c o u n t r i e s and introduce a Youth Parliament Establishment Of Effective Support Towards Active program in Somalia. Youth Participation In Social And National Issues 9. Create and approve the National Youth Council for Somalia. Key Priority Interventions: 10. Create strong citizenship so it may reduce the youth migration. 1. Encourage and support volunteering programs 11. Organize competitions of poets and other and supporting among the youth. literature on patriotism. 2. Encourage the representation of young women and men in different levels of government and 3.7. Justice and Youth Conflict with the non-governmental and community councils Law decision is reached. 3. Creation and use youth advisory councils. Overview 4. Promote the inclusion of young women and men in Parliament and other political and governance Among the Somalia, youth are those in conflict with participation. the law who take part in various crimes including 5. Promote and secure micro grants from United terrorism, rape, murder, robbery, theft, piracy and Nations (UN) agencies and international gang-related. Youth age bracket is a sensitive time organizations to inspire youth. with high level of energy available that needs to be 6. Utilise religious and cultural gatherings used. This situation could lead the youth falling victim

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of those want to take advantage of their vulnerability 2. The youth offenders will participate and support and use them in organized crime, violent extremism, volunteers during the period at the rehabilitation and terrorism. center. 3. In counseling (counseling) for youth offenders to The National Youth Policy encourages the examine and observe what is the root cause and establishment and enforcement of a system where their compelling and physiological status. the youth offenders are sent to rehabilitation centers 4. In the rehabilitation centers should be a place of instead of prisons, help them becoming better transforming youth offenders and their service people and support the reintegration of the young needs become available such as education, offender into their community. It also proposes the health, and skill training. establishment of the Juvenile Act. 5. Constant awareness campaigns should be made to advise youth on what is good for their lives The critical issues for this priority area include: and avoiding acts and criminal activities that may affect their future negatively. yy Types of the crimes and exploitations yy Poor prison conditions yy Requirements of the CRC yy Rehabilitation services yy Children and adults together in prisons

Strategic Objective 1:

Implement Appropriate Legislation Regarding Youth And Juvenile Offenders.

Key Priority Interventions:

1. Development and enforcement of Youth and Juvenile Justice Law. 2. Reform and make the police stations and prisons a youth friendly environment (separating adult and child inmates). 3. Develop programs to support victims. 4. The law enforcement personnel (security forces) must learn the basic human rights of a free citizen and also a prisoner to avoid acts of violation. 5. Youth detainees are bound to be treated with compassion and dignity receiving services they needed in prison.

Strategic Objective 2:

Establish Rehabilitation Facilities Where Youth Offenders Learn Skills And Help Them Transform To Become Mature In Terms of Vision and Effort.

Key Priority Interventions:

1. Establish a Reform of youth and rehabilitation centers.

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4. Priority Target Groups

The National Youth Policy is a vision and framework for the development of all youth in Somalia. Furthermore, it is recognized that there are s e ve n groups of youth who require additional emphasis to ensure their maximum benefit from the planned interventions, namely:- yy Young people with disabilities yy Young people living with AIDS (PLWA) yy Orphans and vulnerable youth yy Marginalized young people yy Internally displaced young people yy Nomadic youth yy Young unemployed

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 21 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 22 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Policy Implementation & Coordination

5. Policy Implementation This policy term is for five years, which will strive to achieve the objectives and measuring how the critical & Coordination issues under the seven thematic areas were achieved. Prior to its termination, the formulation process will The National Youth Policy is based on the principle be reinitiated so the Policy can be updated. At the of cooperation and collaboration – “a must for all end of the policy period, policy reviews will be made stakeholders in youth development – government and new data collection and consultations will be ministries, civil society, the private sector and young conducted to find a new policy that focuses the people – to collaborate and work together to ensure needs of the time. the best result in the development of young men and women“.

The NYP recommends:

1. Upon approval of the National Youth Policy by the Federal Government of Somalia, a National Youth Action Plan is to be formulated which elaborates the “who does what, how, and when?”. 2. Establish National Youth Council, formed by young men and women, to participate in the implementation of the policy and will be the bridge connecting youth and development stakeholders. 3. To nominate Youth Focal Points in all government ministries with the mandate of coordination of the activities of each ministry service to the profession to youth.

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 23 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 24 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Rights and Responsibilities of Youth

6. Rights and Lastly, this National Youth Policy appeals to all citizens Responsibilities of Somalia to: yy Encourage the contribution of young people in of Youth community and national development yy Provide equal opportunities to young people This National Youth Policy further sponsors that irrespective of their gender all youth regardless of their age, gender, ability, yy Assist young people to reach their full potential socioeconomic status or geographic location have a yy Encourage young people’s active involvement in right to enjoy. all spheres of community and national life yy Their youthfulness free from all forms of violence, Somalia youth live in a time of improbable change. war, abuse, exploitation, and degradation They are an important and most valuable sector yy Quality education and employment opportunities; of society, but are most susceptible in terms yy Health services; and of employment, health, violence and violence yy Participation in decision-making about issues that extremisms/terrorism. affect their lives

Similarly, this National Youth Policy appeals upon youth both men and women to exercise responsibility and commitment to building a more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Somalia. This can be achieved by youth through. yy Respecting and learning Islamic religion yy Reinforcing the unity, non-harmful tradition, and culture of the people and the country of Somalia; yy Avert the radicalization and acts of violent extremism and terrorism yy Respecting law and order other citizens and their property yy Supporting vulnerable and marginalized members of youth and opposing discrimination of all forms yy Protecting and preserving the environment

THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 25 “Youth are change makers for development and stability” 26 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA “Youth are change makers for development and stability” Conclusion

7. Conclusion Hopefully, this National Youth Policy will raise the profile of understanding the needs and aspirations Throughout the formulation and researching of youth both men and women in Somalia and how stages of this National Youth Policy for the Federal their possible contribution to the community and Government of Somalia, the youth both men and national life. women expressed the challenges they face and their observed needs which prevented their full Most of all, it is hoped that this National Youth Policy and creative contribution to the rebuilding of their will serve as a tool for linking all sectors of society country. in the development of young men and women in Somalia. This include: yy Limited provision of services that are priorities for youth such as education, training, employment, and Health yy Lack of admiration by adults for the ideas and contributions of the Youth yy Discrimination and societal division due to clan system and gender yy No specific Youth policy and legislations to guide the development of young people in Somalia yy Key government ministries have no prioritized agenda of youth issues yy Political exclusion of youth yy Youth are voiceless in the implementation of the delivery of services for youth development yy Lack of youth participation in policy development for government institutions (they are not represented in the policy consultations) and implementation (Government arms didn’t best utilize the potential resource – Youth)

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