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Discrimination and how it hinders development
Many advancements have been made in the 21st century. Arguably, the most revolutionary one of these inventions is the internet—the internet revolutionized the way we go about our businesses and also opened up a portal for people all over the world to connect from right where they are. The internet has done many wonderful things, one of them being shining a light on what is arguably the biggest issue that faces the human race – discrimination. Discrimination is the “treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favour of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or...
Human dignity and freedom in a multi-cultural, multi-religious world
The current world population stands at approximately seven billion and a half billion, with more than 5000 different ethnic groups and 4200 different religions. Suffice it to say that human population is very diverse. Some call it a "melting pot", others a "cultural mosaic", "salad bowl", and even "kaleidoscope". However, many people fight over their differences in culture and religion instead of celebrating these differences, and culture and religion are often used in nefarious ways to drive forward white supremacy, sexism/misogyny, and terrorism, amongst others. Historically, in most...
Dear Women of #GenerationEquality
A letter to all girls and women. This is for women who inspire. This is for women who have had a heartbreaking past but get up everyday to conquer their dreams. This is for women who have been through all kinds of Gender based violence, be it physical or emotional, but smile with stardust in their eyes, this is for women who deserve better. This is for women who were rejected, shamed, and disrespected by the society. This is for women who love deeply, who hold on tight to people they love and their children, this is for women who have been through hell, but have shown immense courage. This is...
International Women's Day 2020: What empowerment should actually mean
You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. ~ Maya Angelou (Still I rise) Yes! You can rise above everything, and fulfill your goals, especially if you are a woman! In a society that’s mostly hegemonized by men, a woman’s true potential is often underemphasized, at times to the extent of looking down upon it. The need for her education and enlightenment was considered outlandish until about six decades ago, and is regretfully so in many places around the world even till now. However, despite all the...
Meet the girls standing up for women's rights around the world
Powerful or powerless? A girl's success is inevitable
Disability is not Inability
To the, Tunisian dreams, scraper… (part 1)
*** With a hand raised to the sky, a square of light separates the visible from the real world, from what is not visible from the world of appearances. In that tedious moment, I knew, what original sin has long hidden from us, and understood that life was turning its back on me. To you, to us, and to this daring hatred of man... A hatred that is not misanthropic, but so repressive... Shadow on soul, the waves that for a long time made me one of his famous assailants, today are about to drown a spirit, a childhood dream, a last smile to life. O sweet Auroras, if life has provided you with the...
Girls in ICT: Don't be afraid to pursue technical courses
Child labour: Children who are meant to be seen and not heard
Child labour is any work that harms a child mentally, physically and socially; it is a common malpractice in several countries. One widespread form of child labour is the domestic child labour which is invisible to people. There are numerous harmful consequences associated with child labour, such as health problems or absenteeism at school. Recently, I came across the article "Harvest is in my blood" which gives an insight on how children are being deprived from their fundamental rights in Indonesia: the right to education. The tobacco industry is one of the largest industry in Indonesia and...
Peace shall reign
Marking International Poetry Day (21 March 2020), a group of young poets and Voices of Youth contributors write about the power of peace. Their poems are a cry to end violence against children, and a message of support to the children and youth affected by conflict. Salman is a 21 year old writer, a poet and a motivational speaker from Nigeria, who frequently writes on Voices Of Youth about Culture and Human Rights. You can read his content here. The world is placed for peace and grounds for unity. For people to leave even without kisses but not a piece of a calamity. Now a lot has changed in...
Youth Activism: We Are on a Mission to End Period Poverty
In 2019, the documentary Period. End of Sentence won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short, which revealed the reality of period poverty and stigma in India. Inspired by the film, we dove into our own research of period poverty, which is the lack of access to feminine hygiene products, like pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. Period poverty is a reality for many women across the globe. According to a survey by Plan International UK, one in seven girls aged 14-21 have struggled to afford menstrual products. Period poverty interferes with a girl's education, a survey conducted by the company Always...
Global Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Game On?
Why does global diplomacy seem to be dwindling right now, at a time when we need it the most? This was the question posed by the Harvard Social Impact Project to high school delegates participating in the 2020 Harvard Model UN Conference. Over 3000 students from all over the world came to discuss world issues and submit their innovative responses to this challenging prompt. Winners are often the only ones who have their projects showcased, but who said we have to go with traditional norms? Here's my project, an essay, which I'm proud to share with the global community of young people. The gist...
To the people with the guns
Marking International Poetry Day (21 March 2020), a group of young poets and Voices of Youth contributors write about the power of peace. Their poems are a cry to end violence against children, and a message of support to the children and youth affected by conflict. Kamogelo is a 17 year old from South Africa with a passion to learn from, inspire and educate anyone who gives her the chance to. She frequently blogs about women’s rights, education and equality on Voices Of Youth. You can read her content here. I dream a dream of playgrounds and lemonade I dream a dream of nights with clear skies...
Is there a future for the world's children?
Despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, children like 12-year old Ridhima Pandey, from India, face an uncertain future. “The first time I heard about climate change and global warming was in 2013,” Pandey said. “There was a flash flood that occurred in my home state of Uttarakhand and when that happened, there was a huge destruction. The water level of the Ganges was dangerously high. Every single house was destroyed, land was destroyed and many animals and people died.” Climate change, a phenomenon mostly caused by rising greenhouse gas...
Peace, My Greatest Fantasy
Marking International Poetry Day (21 March 2020), a group of young poets and Voices of Youth contributors write about the power of peace. Their poems are a cry to end violence against children, and a message of support to the children and youth affected by conflict. Fatu Kaba is a 21-year old from Liberia. She is passionate about using entrepreneurship to solve human rights issues such as education, healthcare, women empowerment, poverty, and climate change. She wrote this poem in collaboration with Janetta Konah, a 23 years old Liberian who is passionate about promoting a reading culture in...
Why girls and women should be heard?
Each girl has a voice capable of converting into actions that can transform to the world in a better place. They have the right to be heard! Providing them with education and equal opportunities will make them empowered women who will contribute to the construction of a just, equitable and progressive society.