„Giving Youth A Voice“ Bangladesh Youth Survey (BYS) 2011 BRAC Global Learning Meeting 2012

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011 (cont.)  aims & objectives  gaining an in depth understanding of youth and their demands, for policymakers & development partners  tap into youths’ aspirations and expectations from the state  their assessment of current policies (education and vocational training, labor market)  their relation to two most important Institutions (family & community)  establish a National & Regional Network (policy makers, development partners, NGOs)

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011 (cont.)  Methodology  Public Perception Survey by Nielsen Bangladesh Limited  Sample 6575  50/50 male female and 70/30 rural urban  In 6 divisions and 64 districts  Age group:  FGDs

 Socio-demographic profile  Mean Age: 21, 18 is the highest age group  Income: pronounced disparities in rural, urban and city corporation  Occupation: Students followed by Housewife  Self employed (non-agri and agri) Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011

 Socio-demographic profile  Education and drop-outs  5-6 per cent had never been to school.  Drop out starts from 12 years  The dropout rates are the highest at the age of 15  prior to reach class 5, about 5% dropped out.  Prior to reaching class 8, 20% dropped out.  As expected, this share is even higher among rural youth, where values are about per cent

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Youth & the State:  Performance of the government  Performance of core institutions  Elections and Voting: fair elections, voting decision  Youth’s participation in politics (student politics and form of involvement in politics)  Justice and Crime

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Youth & the State: Conditions for fair elections  empowered election commission  parties respect for each other  mandatory election budget disclosure  candidates with no criminal records  concerns on having elections held under the ruling party  Voting : party considering youth’s interest and local issue got highest rank

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Youth & the State: Youth’s participation in politics  Low reporting of party affiliation (2%, due to underreporting ?)  30 % voted for the same party  > 80 % : students shouldn’t be involve in politics  support is high in urban localities compared to both rural and City Corporation  male are more in favor of politics compared to female

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Youth & the State: Forms of participation in politics  hartal is the least favored  voting is the most preferred form  also by supporting leaders &  participating in campaigns &  by becoming candidates

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Youth & the State Justice & Crime  Justice: judiciary, government executives, family  Limited support for political leaders involvement in justice  handling justice on the spot also got support, though disagreement is also there  Crime: more reliability on special security force (ex: RAB)  “top 5” crimes: murder, drug and alcohol abuse, dowry and personal property crimes

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011 Chapter 5 Family & Community: core findings  Family is the most important part of life  Community are very important for safeguarding interests, solving problems, preserve religious & cultural traditions and values  Family is the first to approach in time of need  Newspaper and TV provide the news and information  religious practices were regarded highly important by the youths  50 % do not have friends from other religions, within them 54 % are Muslim

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  importance of mother  makes the most important decisions (education, work, marriage)  most important: be a good guardian & provide advice  accept parents’ decisions over mobility, selection of spouse, choose friends, spending money  Chapter 5 Family & Community - Importance of family:

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Chapter 5 Family & Community - Life cycle planning:  vast gaps btw. ideal and actual age !  education: ideal age 24 vs. actual age 15 (min. 8)  starting work: ideal 23 vs. 8-9 (actual)  marriage: ideal 24 vs. actual 17 (female) & 21 (men)  having children: ideal 26 & actual 12 minimum (female) & 16 (male)

Giving Youth A Voice Bangladesh Youth Survey 2011  Chapter 5 Family & Community - Accepting social change (overall & working women)?

thanks for your interest !!