Fighting COVID-19: African Youths on the Offensive

Youths from across Africa have been analysing the impact of COVID-19 on young people in the continent.

This was during a webinar organised this Tuesday, June 9, 2020 by the African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and UNICEF Generation Unlimited.

It was a Virtual Youth Consultation on the theme: “Covid 19 in Africa: Building Back Better with Young Africans”.

During the virtual meeting, speakers and panellists presented the situation of African youths with the presence of COVID-19.

It was amongst other things noted that about 79 Billion Dollars is being lost since 34% of Africa’s working population (aged 15 to 24) is affected by COVID-19 through school lockdown or job uncertainty in the informal sector, which is greatest hit by COVID-19.

With school lockdown, distance learning has been prioritised but internet access according to panellists, remains a major problem.

No school may also lead to some students dropping out completely, teenage pregnancy and undernutrition amongst others.

According to studies carried out, the rate of unemployment amongst the youth is increasing.

The Head of the AUC’s Youth and Education Divisions, Prudence Ngwenya, divides the impact of COVID-19 on the African youth into four sectors:

1. Health (including mental health implications of contracting COVID-19),

2. Jobs (disruption of work schedules and livihoods).

3. Education (disruption of learning).

4. Social Life (social distancing affects recreation and leisure).

After panel discussions, group discussions ensued on the way forward for the African youth in the face of COVID-19.

The suggestions and decisions arrived out will be forwarded to the African Union Specialized Technical Committee of Ministers of Youth, Culture and Sport that will take place on June 17, 2020.

Closing the session, the Executive Secretary of UNECA, Vera Songwe, called on participants to implement decisions arrived at so as to make the African youth survive in the face of COVID-19.

Eleanor Ayuketah Ngochi

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