Empowering Baloch Youth for Sustainable Development
Empowering Baloch Youth for Sustainable Development
Rozina Dilmorad
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Youth empowerment is a transformative process that encourages children and young people to take control of their lives by addressing their circumstances and taking action to improve their access to resources.

This empowerment involves transforming their consciousness through beliefs, values, and attitudes. The energy and idealism of youth play a pivotal role in driving social change, with notable contributions in fields such as education, politics, and community service.

In Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan, youth face limited employment opportunities, evident in the historically lower labor force participation rate of 44.44% compared to other provinces. Surprisingly, there has been no dedicated youth employment strategy or policy over the past 70 years. This situation necessitates a cohesive and integrated youth empowerment strategy to make a visible impact on the region.

Youth empowerment is crucial as it cultivates active, informed, and resilient individuals who contribute to societal progress, fostering innovation, social responsibility, and a sense of agency. Moreover, it helps break the cycle of poverty, reduce unemployment, and build a foundation for sustainable development.

Achieving youth empowerment involves providing education, mentorship, and opportunities for skill development. Creating a supportive environment that values their perspective and offers platforms for active participation in community and civic activities is essential. Access to information technology and resources further enhances empowerment.

To empower Baloch youth, a focused approach on education, invitation to skill-building programs, fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging community involvement, providing access to technology, and creating platforms for their voices to be heard are imperative. Promoting a sense of identity and pride in their cultural heritage adds another layer to the holistic empowerment strategy.