Youth Parliament Report

YOUTH PARLIAMENT REPORT

March 19, 2016

The first ever Youth Parliament on Gender Based Issues in India and develop young leaders and change makers on this social cause. The youth parliament was conducted at Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University Campus on March 19, 2016. 200 youth participants attended the Youth Parliament on Gender Issues. The participants came from different districts of Rajasthan including both rural and urban areas.

Objectives

1. Visible connect among the urban and rural youths on the social causes as change maker
2. Gender sensitization and awareness amongst the youth.
3. Broadening the perspectives of the youth via exposure through cultural and academic media.
4. Understanding the laws and policies and its dynamic nature (Including the implementation spheres)
5. Promoting the analysis of the laws, policies and provisions of the state from view point of vulnerable and excluded groups including women and youths.
6. Sensitize young college students on the issues of declining sex ratio, sexual harassment at work place, early and child marriage, eve teasing and Masculinity.

Panel of Experts

The panel of experts included Mr. Kailash ji (the Executive Director of Jatan Sansthan), Ms. Priyanka Singh ji (Chief Executive Officer of Seva Mandir), and Mr. Bharat ji (the Secretary of Vishaka Sansthan) and Ms. Preeta Bhargav (the Police Superintend of Udaipur).

Themes focused on Gender Issues

There were 30 students who were selected to present their research paper on the different themes of Gender. The students came from various disciplines such as Law, Management, and Social Work etc. from Mohan Lal Sukhadiya University, Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, Central University Rajasthan, Jain Bharti University Ladnun and SBP College Dungarpur.

Following were the themes which were focused on Gender Issues:

1. Early and Child Marriage
2. Eve Teasing
3. Sexual Harassment at  Work Place
4. Masculinity
5. Declining Sex ratio

Students coming from both rural and urban areas have presented their research findings explaining the cause, consequences, suggestions and recommendations to the government to guide them on the policy making around gender issues. The Parliament focused on creating a Youth Charter which consists of the action points recommended by the young people to tell the government that it is the time for young people to enter in the administration. The participation of young people and their

Opinions in the policy and decision making is highly needed for the development of the nation. The discussion helped in bridging the gap between the youth and the government and also aimed at developing gender advocates in the community. The panel of experts at the end also put down the views on all different themes and had an effective discussion with all students and the audience. The experts also highlighted the existing mechanism and structure around all issues and what are the gaps and challenges. The discussion between the Students, Panel of experts and the audience had led to the development of the Youth Charter which will be submitted to the state government officials and representatives.

Formulation of Youth Charter

Here are the points which will be going into the final youth charter:

1. There should be programs on creating awareness about the women empowerment
2.  The definition of ‘’Education’’ is needed to be revised and emphasis should be on the quality of education being provided in the schools
3. The research/documentation should be considered as part of the education system and not just as an extracurricular activity
4. Youth resource centre should be established in the rural and urban areas to create an open and safe space for dialogue and discussions
5. The youth should be provided with platforms and opportunities to share their opinions and views whenever any planning/policy making is done by the government
6. The institutes/colleges should have a gender friendly environment
7. The participation of young people should be increased at the Panchayat level, in the policy and decision making
8. Media should be sensitized and trained on the gender based issues
9. The women should be certified with respect at all levels from village to the district which will help in empowering them
10. There is a need to revise the education curriculum from the gender diversity lens (e.g. changing gender stereotypes, images and stories)
11. To sensitize the government officials and representatives on gender issues and to tell them about the societal change
12. The application/registration forms should clearly indicate all type of sex/gender in order to give equal opportunities to everyone
13. There should be a Youth Policy in the state of Rajasthan
14. The counselling centres should be established in every college/institutes to counsel students around gender issues
15. There should be a Sexual Harassment Committee in every university/college which will be responsible to create safe, friendly and empowering spaces for girls and young women

The youth charter with the proper follow up and evaluation techniques will be submitted to the state government officials very soon.