February 02, 2012

There are such a high percentage of young people who see the future as something totally black…. If you open even a small window for them to see the sky, it will be a tremendous force for change. But they have to be able to see the sky.
— (Mahmoud Abaza, WAFD Party, Egypt; Courtesy: UNDP Report).

In present times youth face many obstacles in their transition from childhood to adulthood. In many parts of the world, lack of access to education, unemployment and the scourge of conflict aggravated these difficulties, especially in Kashmir. For boys and girls growing up in conflict situations, the challenges are even greater, as violent conflict impacts negatively on all dimensions of their lives. At the same time, feelings of exclusion contribute to the emergence or continuation of violence. These challenges cannot be ignored at all, however, it isn’t easy to encourage youth to do their best and create an environment conducive for their leadership as well as their future.

To involve youth in developmental work, we need to ensure that they can safely experiment and succeed in developing stronger skills and are charged with confidence. We need to channelize their energies in a creative way in order to make this world an inclusive, sustainable place for them and for future generations. Indo–Global Social Services Society (IGSSS) is doing the same in Kashmir. As per a recent study conducted by ActionAid, due to continuing conflict in Kashmir during the past two decades has had an unparalleled effect on the youth and has increased their psychiatric morbidity. The study demonstrated that 55.72 per cent of youth in Kashmir reel under depression and anxiety which leads to various abuses. The statistics is an indicator that all is not well in Kashmir vis-a vis youth. This is the raison d’être for IGSSS interventions in Kashmir and thus far, they have been successful in engaging youth in various fruitful activities.

To illustrate an example of youth participation and lessening conflict in Kashmir, we visited Zalpora (Sumbal) village and interacted with a youth group (Samaajsudhaar) leader, Syed Ali. This young man in the prime of his youth has engaged himself and his other friends for the development of the village. Ali, a lanky young man in his early twenties wishes to see his village at par with other developed villages. He is worried about a bridge that connects Zalpora with other adjacent villages. He is very much concerned about a polluted river which is currently a major cause of concern for him. Ali with forceful words laments that the water is polluted to such a level that it has become poisonous to consume and people spend significant time and effort to transport it. He can’t see people dying before his eyes. He says he can’t act as a mute spectator anymore, so wants a solution for his woes that has engulfed his village.

Samaajsudhaar is working on many issues and foremost is to list Zalpora as a backward village. The reason according to Ali is to reap economic and developmental benefits for youth in the village. This youth group gives credit to IGSSS for sensitizing them on entitlements and various government schemes. Another active member of the group, Inayat Hussian says that he and his other group members are aware of their basic human rights and they will utilize them for their betterment. The group appreciates IGSSS for their efforts in disseminating information and education about various rights, government schemes and entitlements. They believe that the awareness could be used to develop and implement human resource strategies to meet needs of villagers.

By: Ms Sumera Bashir
Documentation Executive
Indo-Global Social Service Society
Jammu and Kashmir