Youth Rights and Responsibilities Part III

National Youth Policy 2003

4. THURST AREAS OF THE POLICY :

Youth empowerment: The Policy recognizes that in order for the youth to effectively participate in decision making processes, it is essential that they are better equipped with requisite knowledge, skills and capabilities. Towards this end, the Policy envisions the following:

(a) Attainment of higher educational levels and expertise by the youth, in line with their abilities and aptitudes, and access to employment opportunities accordingly.

(b) Adequate nutrition for the full development of physical and mental potential and the creation of an environment which promotes good health, and ensures protection from disease and unwholesome habits.

(c) Development of youth leadership and its involvement in programmes and activities pertaining to National Development.

(d)Equality of opportunity and respect for Human and Fundamental Rights without distinction of race, caste, creed, sex, language, religion or geographic location and access to facilities relating to Sports, Cultural, Recreational and Adventure activities.

Gender Justice: The Policy recognizes the prevailing gender bias to be the main factor responsible for the poor status of health and economic well-being of women in our society and that any discrimination on grounds of sex violates the basic rights of the individual concerned and it, therefore, stands for the elimination of gender discrimination in every sphere. The Policy enunciates that:

a. Every girl child and young woman will have access to education and would also be a primary target of efforts to spread literacy.

b. Women will have access to adequate health services (including reproductive health programmes) and will have full say in defining the size of the family.

c. Domestic violence will be viewed not only as violation of women’s freedom but also as that of human rights.

d. All necessary steps should be taken for women’s access to decision-making process, to professional positions and to productive resources and economic opportunities.

e. Young men, particularly the male adolescents shall be properly oriented, through education and counseling to respect the status and rights of women.

The Policy further enunciates that:

a. Action would be pursued to eliminate all forms of discrimination in respect of the girl child, negative cultural attitudes and practices against women, discrimination against women in education, skill development and training, and the socio-economic exploitation of women, particularly young women.

b. Concerted efforts will be made to promote a family value system that nurtures a closer bond between men and women, and ensures equality, mutual respect and sharing of responsibility between the sexes.

Inter-Sectoral Approach: The Policy recognizes that an inter-sectoral approach is a pre-requisite for dealing with youth-related issues. It, therefore, advocates the establishment of a coordinating mechanism among the various Central Government Ministries and Departments and between the Central and State Governments, and the community based organisations and youth bodies for facilitating convergence in youth related schemes, developing integrated policy initiatives for youth programmes and for reviewing on-going activities / schemes to fill in gaps and remove unnecessary duplication and overlap.

Information & Research Network: Youth development efforts in India have been hampered by lack of adequate information and research base. The Policy, therefore, suggests the establishment of a well organized Information & Research Network in regard to various areas of concern to the youth to facilitate the formulation of focused youth development schemes and programmes. The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) will serve as the apex Information and Research Centre on youth development issues. The National Youth Center and the State Youth Centres will also serve as store houses of information for the youth. At the micro level, the Youth Development Centers under the NYKs will be equipped to serve as information centers for the local youth.

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