GAROWE, 2 June 2025 – Puntland Youth Association Network (PYAN) facilitated a two-day validation workshop on a policy paper concerning human rights perspectives on education and employment access for youth.The workshop, supported by the Human Rights experts of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and convened 25 participants, including youth representatives, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government officials.
During the workshop, participants engaged in vibrant discussions and provided valuable inputs on the policy paper. They were divided into groups to brainstorm selected topics, and their contributions will be incorporated into the final draft of the policy paper.
The primary objective of the meeting was to advance rights-based and inclusive solutions for Somali youth, with a specific focus on the unique challenges faced by young people in Puntland. The validated policy paper, titled “A Human Rights Perspective on Education and Employment Access for Youth in Puntland: Situational Analysis,” underscored the critical importance of adopting a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to address the interconnected challenges of education and youth unemployment.
The executive summary of the report highlighted that over 80% of Puntland’s population is under the age of 35, representing a significant demographic opportunity. However, many young people, particularly nomadic children, girls, youth with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), encounter systemic barriers that impede their access to education and dignified employment opportunities.
The report emphasized that a rights-based approach extends beyond mere service delivery. Instead, it ensures that both the outcomes (such as literacy, civic engagement, and job readiness) and the processes (including inclusive policy formulation, accountability measures, and access to redress) of educational and employment systems align with the fundamental principles of human dignity, non-discrimination, participation, empowerment, and accountability. Furthermore, this approach directly addresses the root causes of inequality, such as poverty, gender discrimination, and political marginalization, advocating for a shift from charity-centered models to rights-based empowerment.
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