Summary

Round Table Discussion on Addressing the Vulnerability and Fragility of Young People in Bangladesh

4 October 2023 | Hotel Amari Dhaka

South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and ActionAid Bangladesh jointly organized a round table discussion titled “Addressing the Vulnerability and Fragility of Youth in Bangladesh” on 4 October 2023 at 10:00 AM at Hotel Amari Dhaka. Honourable Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr Md. Tazul Islam, MP, was present as the chief guest in the discussion. The country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, Ms Farah Kabir was present as the chair of the event and Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, and Research Director, SANEM moderated the discussion. Ms Eshrat Sharmin, Senior Research Associate, SANEM; presented the research paper. Mr Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (Admin Wing), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mr Kazi Moshtaque Zahir, Joint Secretary (Youth wing), Ministry of Youth and Sports; Mr Priyasindhu Talukder, Joint Secretary (Planning-3), Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology; Ms Nasrin Akter, Deputy Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Ms Fouzia Siddiqua, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Women & Children Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh were also present at the discussion.

At the beginning of the program, Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha highlighted the relevance of this round table meeting in the current situation. She said that where one third of the total population of Bangladesh is young, there is immense potential in all areas of development. However, due to various reasons, that possibility is somewhat hindered. The youth of Bangladesh are facing various problems. There is a need for discussion on how the young population can deal with those problems, as well as how the relevant stakeholders can play a more effective role in solving these problems.

Ms Farah Kabir said in her welcome speech that urgent steps can be taken to improve the overall situation of the youth by taking technical training or increasing the efficiency, reducing the impact of climate change in remote areas and many other necessary steps can be taken including the provision of clean water and invited the representatives of the relevant ministries.

In the presentation, Ms Eshrat Sharmin said, Bangladesh is passing through the ‘Demographic Window’ of opportunity with one-third of the total population being young people. If the demographic dividend is to come from there, the youth must play an effective role in the national economy. In this study, youth refer to people aged 15-35 years. The study organized youth vulnerability into four sectors – education, health, employment and climate. She said, in 2022, a survey by SANEM and ActionAid Bangladesh revealed that due to the increase in inflation, about 23.42 percent of families have reduced their expenditure on education more than before. Their study also revealed that in 2020 about 78.84 percent of students did not pass their secondary school and the major reason for student dropout was economic problems which was about 70.59 percent. On the other hand, interest or participation in technical education is still low.

About 78 percent of the educated youth feel that their formal education is not applicable in the workplace. Due to inadequate internet services, lack of skills or immorality, the youth are suffering from unemployment or not getting jobs according to their qualifications. About 11.20 percent of highly educated youth are still suffering from unemployment problem. If we look at the health sector, it can be seen that the health care in rural or remote areas is not adequate. Even though the government supplies enough medicines, many hospitals do not receive them due to lack of proper distribution. In addition, the current young population is also aware of climate change. They are playing a proactive role in climate change impacts and adaptation.

Mr Kazi Moshtaque Zahir said that under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, about 3 lakh young people are being given various training every year to increase their skills, such as computer and ICT based training, freelancing, driving etc. In the next 5 years, 9 lakh youth will be trained of which 60 percent will be women. Besides, they provide loans to young entrepreneurs and provide rewards to motivate them.

Ms Fouzia Siddiqua said that under the MCVP scheme of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, about 12 lakh women have been benefited so far. Besides, they have arranged training for 1 crore 88 lakh women. Organized e-commerce platform for women entrepreneurs at union and upazila level. Apart from that, many women are being helped through the ‘Tathya Apa’ project. Under the initiative of ‘Tathya Apa’ project, courtyard meetings were organized with rural women. There are safe housing facilities for working women. Besides, there is ‘Joyeeta Foundation’ and special loan system for women entrepreneurs.

Mr Iqbal Abdullah Harun said that under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change there is a Road Map of Gender Action Plan and Adaptation Plan, through which all people including youth will get support.

Mr Priyasindhu Talukder said that Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology is working to strengthen internet services in rural and remote areas through Union Digital Center (UDC). Besides, he called upon the young society to increase self-awareness in the use of internet, so that no one is harmed through it. Apart from this, Department of Posts and Telecommunications organizes ‘Smart Bangladesh Mela’ every year for young entrepreneurs.

Ms Nasrin Akter highlighted the budget of various initiatives of the government for the youth including Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

Hon’ble Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives placed emphasis on quality education. He said there are immense possibilities as well as challenges for the youth. He urged everyone to work together to face this challenge of the youth. This will benefit the country, people and young society.

In the closing speech, Professor Bidisha said that whatever problems there are in the way of development, we should keep them aside and work on the path of possibilities. The young society should fully utilize the opportunities that are available. This is how the future Bangladesh will be built.