1. ADDRESSING ISSUES OF EQUITY IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING THE MDGs DELIA BARCELONA,SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISER, UNFPA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT, MEXICO OCTOBER 2004

2. MDGs Targeting Young People By 2015: Goal 1: Halve the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day Goal 2: Ensure that boys and girls alike will be able to complete primary schooling Goal 3: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education Goal 5: Reduce by three-quarters the maternal mortality ratio Goal 6: Have halted and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS Goal 8: Develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth

3. In 2004 – Four Years after the Millennium Declaration Millions of young people live in poverty Almost half of the world's youth (15-24) live in low-income countries One in four of all youth (15-24) live on less than $1 a day Poor young people have the least access to health, education and employment opportunities Poverty, underdevelopment and illiteracy are principal contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS Significant numbers feel that their concerns and voices are adequately seen, heard or acted upon by those who have power, resources and decision- making authority

4. So what does EQUITY have to do with reaching the MDGs related to young people?

5. The Alexandria Declaration…on EQUITY TO PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. EDUCATION, HEALTH AND NUTRITION ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED,THE RURAL AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN SOCIETY,AND ABOVE ALL, TO YOUNG WOMEN, WHETHER IN EDUCATION OR WHEN ENTERING THE LABOUR FORCE FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WHO IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD STILL SUFFER FROM DISCRIMINATORY BARRIERS. NO SOCIETY HAS TRULY ADVANCED BY DEPRIVING ITSELF OF THE TALENTS AND ABILITIES OF HALF OF ITS POPULATION.

6. EQUITY MEANS…  FAIRNESS  EQUAL RIGHTS TO OPPORTUNITIES  CONSIDERS ONE’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT  GENDER SENSITIVE  NON-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES  POSITIVE ACTIONS TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY

7. SOME EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN HEALTH oEQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE oGENDER SENSITIVE BUDGETS oNON-JUDGMENTAL TREATMENT, ESPECIALLY OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH

8. EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT  EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK  NON-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES  GENDER SENSITIVE BENEFITS  MERIT BASED

9. EXAMPLES OF EQUITY IN EDUCATION oADDRESSING GAPS IN ENROLMENT, RETENTION AND COMPLETION RATES o IMPROVING QUALITY, SAFETY AND SECURITY, ESPECIALLY FOR GIRLS oERADICATING STEREOTYPES, BIASES IN THE CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS oGENDER SENSITIVE LANGUAGE AND CONTENTS oSTRENGTHENING LINKS TO PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT

10. EQUALITY MEANS…  EQUAL RIGHTS PROMOTED, RECOGNIZED AND FULFILLED IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE  REGARDLESS OF SEX, AGE, CONDITIONS, RELIGION, ETHNICITY….

11. EQUITY IS A STEP TOWARDS EQUALITY

12. Guiding Principles in Youth Programming Safeguard the rights of young people Respond to the differing needs and perspectives of boys and girls Respond to the diversity of young people; Promote youth participation in planning, implementation and evaluation Promote youth leadership and strengthen capacities of young people Address socio-cultural diversity Develop programmes based on knowledge and experience Build partnerships plan and aim for sustainability

13. By adopting culturally sensitive approaches to promote human rights standards and principles, UNFPA is not making value judgements on any cultural values held by communities or groups, rather it is addressing harmful practices that represent violations of international standards of human rights. A human rights perspective affirms that the rights of girls to freedom from discrimination and the highest standard of health are universal. Thoraya A. Obaid Executive Director, UNFPA