Our Youth

Mar 17, 2025 Editorial, News

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Editorial…

Kaieteur News- As the country turns its focus on elections, our national leaders have already started courting our youth for their votes and support. On Sunday, the PNCR held what it termed a Young Professional Conference, where it presented the Party’s comprehensive plans for the Youth of Guyana. Leader of the Party, Aubrey Norton in addressing the gathering said one of the key priorities of his party if it is elected to government will be to place significant focus on the growth and development of young people across all sectors, including sport, culture, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. We have heard similar promises from the PPP/C, the AFC and all the other parties that have come along.

Many will agree that after 59 years of independence, we have not yet brought to maturity the kind of country our founding fathers have dreamt of and declared in our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. Over the years, Guyana has become known around the world, mostly for its good deeds, but also for some bad experiences, such as the infamy of what transpired at Jonestown. Internally, our economy is struggling, crime is widespread, corruption is still rampant and our social and political structures are not intact.

A generation has passed since independence, a new generation has emerged, but a changing of the guard is urgently needed to bring a glimmer of hope to an anguished nation. Cries for new leadership, in general, have intensified. Some say that the struggle for power is unsettling. The truth is, we have not had leaders who have genuinely put the country first and who are truly committed to solve the nation’s problems. Further, too many in government do not have the experience, skills and the moral fibre needed to move the country forward. Neither has there been a clear commitment to operate by principles of transparency and accountability. Many of our youths are bewildered and hopeless; others are jobless and are struggling to survive. Too many, unfortunately, see crime as their only saviour. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) worldwide an estimated 193 000 homicides occur among young people between 15–29 years of age each year, making it one of the leading causes of death for people in this age group. Youth homicide rates vary dramatically between and within countries. Between 2000–2019, rates of youth homicide decreased in most countries, although the decrease has been greater in high-income countries than in low- and middle-income countries, WHO said. The majority of youth homicide victims are males, and most perpetrators are males too. According to the WHO for every young person killed by violence, more sustain injuries that require hospital treatment. Firearm attacks end more often in fatal injuries than assaults that involve fists, feet, knives and blunt objects.

Sexual violence also affects a significant proportion of youth. For example, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys report sexual abuse, WHO has said.  The organization noted that physical fighting and bullying are also common among young people. A study of 40 developing countries showed that an average of 42% of boys and 37% of girls were exposed to bullying.

Youth homicide and non-fatal violence not only contribute greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability, but also have a serious, often lifelong, impact on a person’s psychological and social functioning. This can affect victims’ families, friends and communities. Youth violence increases the costs of health, welfare and criminal justice services; reduces productivity; decreases the value of property.

These are worrying trends that, if not expeditiously addressed and uprooted from society, will ensure that progress and prosperity remain elusive dream. These trends are like a cancer, which is destroying the youths; many have also turned to mobile phones to escape their boredom and sorrows. Studies have shown that youths believe that the use of cell phones is a culturally acceptable normative behaviour and that a very high percentage of them are spending most of their time on these devices talking, texting or sexting. The latter is the sending of sexually explicit photographs, video, text messages, or e-mail by mobile phones to a willing or unwilling receiver. Sexting is intended to increase the senders’ popularity or to solicit sexual attention and liaisons. It also tends to increase teens’ ability to engage in sexual liaisons that could increase teenage pregnancy, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. This will increase pressure on our already strained health care services.
This worrying trend must be avoided among our very impressionable young citizens. It speaks to the thought processes of youths who are inordinately caught up in sexual activities at a very young age. It distracts them from focusing on their studies and passing examinations critical to achieving their career dreams.  In such circumstances, society can only expect to see a higher number of underachievers and school dropouts. This is not a good thing for the future of the country, its workforce and production. We must not remain silent. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

(Our Youth)

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• and employment opportunities., Culture, Editorial, entrepreneurship, Transparency, Young Professional Conference

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