The National Youth Policy of The Federal Government of Somalia - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
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FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
The National Youth Policy
of The Federal Government
of Somalia
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
The National Youth Policy
of The Federal Government
of Somalia
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Contents
Minister’s Message...............................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background.................................................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Purpose and Justification of this Policy.............................................................................................................................4
1.3 The Main Areas of Focus.........................................................................................................................................................5
1.4 Description of Youth................................................................................................................................................................6
1.5 Historic Reflections...................................................................................................................................................................6
1.6 Current challenges hindering development...................................................................................................................6
1.7 Policy Setting..............................................................................................................................................................................7
2. Policy Vision, Guiding Principles & Goals....................................................................................9
2.1 Policy Vision................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Guiding Principles.....................................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 Policy Goals.................................................................................................................................................................................9
3. Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions...............................................................................11
3.1 Strengthening Education and Skills Development ................................................................................................. 11
3.2 Raising Employment Creation and Economic Development................................................................................. 12
3.3 Peace and Security................................................................................................................................................................. 14
3.4 Promotion and Strengthening of health and quality lifestyle .............................................................................. 14
3.5 Protection and Safety of Youth ........................................................................................................................................ 16
3.6 Improving Youth Participation and Citizenship.......................................................................................................... 18
3.7. Justice and Youth Conflict with the Law........................................................................................................................ 18
4. Priority Target Groups................................................................................................................ 21
5. Policy Implementation & Coordination...................................................................................... 23
6. Rights and Responsibilities of Youth........................................................................................ 25
7. Conclusion................................................................................................................................... 27
Minister’s Message
Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Federal The objectives of National Youth Policy are:
Government of Somalia is honored to successfully
accomplish the National Youth Policy as the process 1. Enhance the capacity and knowledge
was initiated in 2010 and its development has been development of the young people to enable
going on for last seven years. When Peace and Life them to access the services they need.
Government (Nabad iyo Nolol) comes to power, 2. To foster a sense of patriotism in young people
the process has been resumed and accelerated to to become tomorrow’s growth agents while
fruitfully complete the development of the National cultivating them a sense of personal development
Youth Policy. and the security of the country to stimulate
stability and better living standard.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also horned that 3. To support youth participation in development
a National Policy developed for the youth has been opportunities for all and all levels – local, national
presented to a functioning cabinet ministers for and international.
the first time in the history and it is a historic event
accomplished by the FGS that a National Policy for Likewise, the key priority interventions include:
the Youth is in place for the first time.
1. Strengthening Education and Skill Training
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the FGS is 2. Employment Creation
thankful to:- 3. Economic Participation, and Poverty reduction
4. Healthy and Quality Lifestyle
1. Ministries of Youth and Sports of the Federal 5. Protection and Guidance for Youth
Member States of the Federal Government of 6. Justice and law
Somalia. 7. Terrorism
2. Benadir Regional Administration and the Benadir 8. Migration
Youth Organization. 9. Unemployment
3. Umbrellas and the Independent Somali Youth 10. Environmental Protection
Organizations. 11. Youth participation and leadership and etc.
4. Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments
and Somali Religious Leaders. Finally, after a long coordinated efforts, we successfully
5. And other relevant ministries. concluded the development of the National Youth
Policy in a meeting attended by all stakeholders (The
Throughout the process of setting the National Youth Ministry of Youth and Sports of the FGS and Minsters
Policy to involve them in the consultative meetings of Youth and Sports of the Federal Member States,
and data collection that they have well contributed. former MPs and some representatives from the civil
society) held in Baidoa, the provisional capital city of
We also extend our gratitude to UNFPA and MERCY South-west State of Somalia, the policy was approved
CORPS/USAID who supported the development of in Garowe, capital city of Puntland State.
the National Youth Policy.
Thank you!
Hon. Khadija Mohamed Diriye
Minister of Youth and Sports of the
Federal Government of Somalia
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 1
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
2 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Introduction
1. Introduction yy To create space and opportunities for young
people to discuss their own issues and voice their
The widespread problems faced by Somali concerns and aspirations
youth, which include: unemployment, insecurity, yy Promoting young people’s participation in
radicalization and extremism, forced irregular decision-making processes at all levels
migration, lack of quality education and vocational
training, health services, etc. The consultation meetings were held with various
organizations such as the
Acknowledging that Somali youth are unable to
realize their rights and access the basic services they yy Banadir Youth Organization
need. yy Independent Youth Organizations
yy Religious leaders
Considering that there was no clear policy which yy Youth special needs organizations
reflects the needs and aspirations of Somali youth yy Civil service organizations
and that it is important to develop policies that yy The National Women Organization
endeavor to address the issues affecting young and yy University Student Unions
creating opportunities for the youth to reach their yy Social service provers (Line ministries)
maximum potential. yy State governments (Ministries of Youth and
Sports)
The Ministry of Youth and Sports decided
The information came from those meetings we will
yy To develop a national youth policy that guides detail in the next section this policy report.
on youth issues fully reflects the needs of young
people and services they need to be delivered 1.1 Background
yy This policy should be the basis for all programs to
help young people According to the Population Estimation Survey for
yy In order to be easier for all government institutions Somalia (PESS) carried out between October 2013
to collaborate on basic services that young people to March 2014, out of the total population of 12.3
need to improve their lives and their futures, this percent, 45.6 percent of the Somali population was
policy would be established below the age of 15 and 81 percent was below the
age of 35, which reveals a youthful population.1
The Ministry began to hold consultation meetings Desirable changes in state development thus directly
and data collection to investigate the youth problems relate to how we develop and empower the youth
so as to prepare information that could be used in the who are the potential productive labour force and
development of a national youth policy which would the agents of change.
reflect the needs of young people and the services
they need. The objectives of National Youth Policy are: The large youthful population has been vulnerable
to various national problems, including violence,
yy To design strategies and policies that are effective, immigration, and terrorism. In terms of security
can be maintained, and have a degree of flexibility and the prolonged civil wars, the youth have been
in the development of youth exploited by clan agendas and terrorist groups like
yy Enhance the capacity of the ministries involved in Al-Shabaab whose name can be translated to “Youth”
the development of young people to be able to to bear the sense of belonging among the youth.
access the services they need These groups recruit, use, abuse and kill Somali young
yy To promote knowledge development of young people. Many young people have not been educated
people to enhance their future growth and been excluded from governance, peace building
yy To foster a sense of patriotism in young people to and state building. The youth need to become active
become tomorrow’s growth agents citizens and be provided with necessary services by
yy To support youth participation in development the government to be protected from vulnerability
opportunities for all and all levels – local, national
and international 1 Population Estimation Survey for Somalia. United Nations Population Fund,
2014.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 3
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Introduction
and radicalization activities and to lead positive and the responsibility of society to its youth. The NYP
productive youthful life. recognizes that both female and male Somali youth
face enormous challenges in every facet of their lives.
Somali youth have not been afforded the opportunity Similarly, the NYP also recognizes that the youth
to develop to their full potential and access the have been considerably underutilized and have
opportunities that enable them to grow, develop and not received their rightful share of the available
prosper as fully engaged, responsive and productive national resources. The NYP also seeks to facilitate
citizens. During the civil war and stateless decades, the youth’s positive contribution and creativeness
the youth didn’t get the opportunities to improve for communal and national development.
their wellbeing or access quality education which is
applicable to the needs of their country. This will make The National Youth Policy is based upon a two-year
them vulnerable to the overflowing problems in the progression made possible through the compliant
environment they lived in like violence, immigration, efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, civil
terrorism, illiteracy, exclusion from the governance society organizations, relevant line ministries, the
system, peace building operations and specific youth – university students, NGOs, intellectuals, the
obstacles to Young women include early marriage, UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth and the
lack of decision-making power on family planning media. Consultation meetings were conducted and
and family preference of educating boys than girls. its objectives were to collect concrete information
and hear from the youth themselves to express their
This National Youth Policy is an affirmation of sentiments, share their objectives and ingeniously
commitment from the Federal Government of devising the future of the youth in Somalia. Such
Somalia to its youth population that it is setting and consultations with the key stakeholders were the
meeting the priorities and development needs of basis for the development of National Youth Policy
its youth both men and women. The national youth since the role of sponsors is vital all the way through
policy defines objectives, strategies, actual steps, the design, formulation, implementation, reviews,
target groups, key government institutions which monitoring and evaluation phases.
will play vital roles in implementation mechanisms. It
defines the role of the youth in their country and the The development of this National Youth Policy for
responsibility of our society to its youth. Somalia not only recognizes the value and significance
of its youth but is an effort to craft policy which visibly
The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2017-2021 is part of shows the ultimate need for youth and providing a
a global movement to formulate policies specifically framework and focuses for youth development by all
targeting young people to address the changing stakeholders. Finally, the below issues and objectives
circumstances in which they find themselves. were derived from the consultation meetings held
As countries worldwide engage in a process of and youth representation was given importance.
developing/renewing youth policy, the NYP 2017-
2021 pursues to promote both the particular needs 1.2 Purpose and Justification of this
and circumstances of the Somali youth and the Policy
universal youth community.
Somalia youth face many challenges and there
This NYP signifies a declaration and commitment are a lot of factors affecting youth, such as limited
by the Federal Government of Somalia with regard employment opportunities/unemployment, violence
to its intentions concerning its priorities, directions and insecurity, low education quality, corruption
and concrete support for youth development over and injustice, and political and administrative
the next five years by setting the priorities and institutions dominated by adults in which youth
meeting development needs of both the female are underrepresented. A large proportion of the
and male youths. The NYP defines objectives, youth population in Somalia comes from rural areas
strategies, actual steps, target groups and key (pastoralists and agro-pastoralists) and are moving
government institutions that will play a vital role to the urban areas (cities) when the quality of their
in implementation mechanisms. It also defines the livelihoods degraded due to famine and droughts
role and responsibility of the youth in their country which also affected the national economy since
4 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Introduction
their production was vital. These youth have limited The Goals of the National Youth Policy 2017-
education and marketable skills for entering the work 2021 is therefore to:
force within the country and overseas.
The overall goal of the policy is to promote youth
Regardless of the fact that youth are a majority of the participation in all sphere of development to ensure
population and that they are seen as a potential labor they attain their full potential.
force, there is no existing youth policy or operational
documents to address the needs of youth in a long The objectives of the policy are:
term manner and there are an overlap and weak
collaboration between government ministries and yy Identify gaps in the Somalia youth development
organizations towards the development of youth. and the current policy and propose strategic
Therefore, the need to develop a youth policy that policy interventions designed to fill them, thus
influences and improves the quality of education and speeding up further development of youth
training, employment and living standards for youth yy Sensitize and guide government institutions
is a top priority. That is why this national youth policy and civil society toward youth development
represents the way that the federal government of and acknowledge the leadership of young men
Somalia foresees the future of its people and, mainly and women in developing youth-led initiatives –
that of youth. initiatives led by and for youth in partnership with
governments at all levels and civil society
The NYP is explicitly intended to close the gaps, yy Create a proper condition for youth to participate
address the challenges and recommend the new in democratic processes in the country
measure to improve and accelerate implementation yy Support initiative and programs that empower
thereby making major strides in the development of youth to be an active citizen
young people by ensuring that they assume their yy Identify challenges and constraint faced by Somali
rightful place in building a prosperous and democratic youth that impedes progress
Somalia. The NYP is an important investment for yy Enabling the government to give priority to
the future, protection, and endurance of youth, youth development and display its commitment
countering violent extremism and terrorism, peace to national youth development, through the
building and conflict resolution, country rebuilding, creation of appropriate policy implementation
improvement of productivity, reinforcement of mechanisms and the allocation of sufficient
health services, democracy and elections, ecological resources; and
reform, encouragement and cultural protection, yy Encourage an understanding amongst the
social justice, and development. regional and district administrations to develop a
plan of action to enable them to play a positive
The NYP will offer a set of strategic priorities and role in strategic objectives of this national youth
commendations as a way forward in the overall policy
concept of youth development converting into
actionable points hence ensuring that youth realize 1.3 The Main Areas of Focus
their full potential, at the same time contributing to
the development of their country. The main areas of the NYP include seven priority
thematic areas, each with specific strategic objectives
The Federal Government of Somalia declares the and key priority interventions, namely:
significance of the active participation of youth in
state development, establishing the unique and 1. Strengthening education and skills development;
parallel roles of all government ministries, the civil 2. Raising employment creation and economic
society organizations and youth groups in youth development;
development. 3. Security and Peace
4. Promoting healthy lifestyles;
5. Protection of Youth
6. Improving youth participation and citizenship
7. Justice and reintegration of youth in conflict with
the law
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 5
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Introduction
The Somali NYP also highlights a set of rights and groups based on families which finally resulted in
responsibilities for Somalia’s youth. the state out of the country collapsing into a civil war
which continued for a long time.
1.4 Description of Youth
Young people were the most troubling part of the
This National Youth Policy focuses on the Somali fighting, up to date they are used for terrorist acts. This
youth between 15 and 40 years old. This age policy is to treat the problems facing young people
group represents the significant stage in life when to become full participants in the development of
transitions to different statuses and environments their community.
– from childhood to adulthood, from school to work,
from dependence to independence – take place. It is 1.6 Current challenges hindering
a population group that needs special attention and development
interventions to ensure these transitions are smooth
and meaningful for each and every young person in Somalia currently experiences a range of issues
Somalia. that are hindering the development of the country
socially, economically, and politically. These issues
Somalia youth experience different circumstances need to be considered since credible responses are
and opportunities depending on their socio- fundamental to the development and protection of
economic status, gender, abilities and geographic the youth emphasized in the NYP. The Somali youth
location. While this Policy seeks to provide a vision, represent the most vulnerable group to these issues.
framework, and set of critical interventions that
targets all young people in the 15 to 40 year age yy Fragile public institutions – The majority of
group, it is recognised that certain groups of young public institutions are facing scarce financial and
people deserve special attention, namely youth human resources. Due to the prolonged civil war,
with disabilities; youth living with Aids ; orphans the government facilities are devastated and
and vulnerable youth; marginalized youth; internally reconstruction is needed
displaced youth; nomadic youth; and unemployed yy Climate change and environment destruction –
youth; Somalia experiences recurrent climate challenges,
including drought, floods, and desertification.
1.5 Historic Reflections Excess use of natural resources and charcoal for
fuel and overall poor environmental management
The freedom that Somalia got in 1960 came after a has led to the poor environment
long struggle and bloodshed , and many freedom yy Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) – currently
fighters sacrificed their lives for the nation to get two persons in five are either an IDP or a returnee.
freedom, while at the time Africa a fierce battle for Such people are living on the margins of
freedom from the European colonizers referred to as society, with limited resources and employment
the “freedom revolution in Africa” . opportunities
yy Radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism
On 15th May 1943, 13 young people from overseas – The Somali youth are among those who
were selected to represent the party called SYC suffered from radicalization and violent extremism
(Somali Youth Club) or association of the people activities due to their vulnerability resulting from
of Somalia, which later became Somali Youth low level of education, unemployment, and the
Association of SYL (Somali Youth League), in May fact that during the prolonged civil war the only
1947, which formally took the name SYL. July 1, 1960, employment available was being an insurgent
the two Somali governments got freedom and joined yy Patriarchal structures - provide limited opportunity
to form the Republic of Somalia. A bloodless Coup for young women to partake in decision making
led by armed forces followed where military came (community, family planning, higher education,
into power and built a government that was led by full employment). Traditional norms such as FGM
a 25-member Revolutionary Council. Problems arose increases infant and maternal mortality or life long
in the government and military attacks against some health issues. In summary, a large proportion of
of the clans ensued which led to the formation of the people (girls and women) can’t develop to
6 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”
Introduction
their full potential, do not fully contribute to the
labor force/ economic development and increase
demand for reproductive health care Hence
hindering development
1.7 Policy Setting
The NYP of the Federal Government of Somalia is
influenced by a number of international and national
policies and declarations, including the Professional
Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia,
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the
Somali National Education Policy. Furthermore, the
NYP reflects the direction of a variety of declarations
and statements that indicate the importance of and
given instructions about the development of specific
youth policies, including the Lisbon Declaration on
Youth Policies and Programmes, the African Youth
Charter, the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),the
Sustainable Development Goals and the first Global
Forum for Youth Policies and the Baku Commitment
to Youth Policies.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 7
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”8 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Policy Vision, Guiding Principles & Goals
2. Policy Vision, Guiding The NYP has adopted the following seven goals,
namely;
Principles & Goals
a. To strengthen effective collaboration and
2.1. Policy Vision coordination between all youth development
stakeholders to achieve desired concrete youth
The statement below is a summary of the vision as a development.
result of the implementation of the NYP: b. To nurture the active participation and
leadership of young women and men, and youth
“Realization of a Somalia society where all its youth organizations in the duties and responsibility of
men and women met their basic needs then both individual and national development.
became confident with a strong sense of identity c. To infuse in youth patriotism and prepare them to
and loyalty to their peaceful and prosperous be responsible citizens that care for their families
nation and its Islamic values and culture. A and communities and value Human Rights and
country where the rights of Youth are protected Gender Equality principles.
and have equal opportunities to participate in d. To support young people, youth groups,
all democratic processes while having unlimited and youth organizations that require special
access to education, health, social, employment attention, especially young women, youth with
opportunities and sporting”. disabilities, etc, to ensure they have access to
equitable opportunities for development to their
2.2. Guiding Principles full potential.
e. To stand for national unity , respect for diversity
The following guiding principles express the and prepare a tailored made intervention
critical core values upon which the NYP goals respectively.
and recommended interventions are derived. It is f. To encourage active participation of the youth in
obligatory to observe, safeguard and admit these activities for re-building the country.
guiding principles to achieve the vision of the NYP. g. To ensure coordination and mainstreaming.
These guiding principles are: different policies serving the youth.
yy Islamic faith
yy Sovereignty of Somalia
yy Respect for and pride in the identity, culture, and
traditions of Somalia
yy Good governance and respect for Human Rights
yy Youth participation and leadership
yy Youth empowerment and engagement
yy Protection of environment, land and sea
yy Inclusivity regarding youth development
yy Gender Equality
yy Comprehensive adopting a holistic approach
2.3. Policy Goals
The National Youth Policy goals are investing and
empowering the youth population by in-depth
analysis of their needs, to ensure participation and
collaborative interventions on youth issues. It will
also focus on developing wide-ranging programs
to unite the different institutions delivering services
to youth to attain the intended results in social,
economic and political development. This National
Youth Policy has adopted seven goals, namely –
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 9
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”10 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
3. Priority Themes and The critical issues in education and skill training
include:
Strategic Interventions
yy Quality of teacher and poor remuneration
This NYP of Somalia seeks to provide a direction yy Curriculum quality
and framework for all institutions committed to yy Limited educational opportunities for nomadic
youth development. Young Somalis faces immense young people
challenges, to start solving these challenges the yy Need for facility renewal and upgrade
priority areas of the NYP are: yy Educational accessibility by young people with
disabilities
1. Strengthening education and skills development; yy Shortage of vocational training schools and
2. Raising employment creation and economic teachers
development; yy Investment in education and Role of student
3. Security and Peace councils
4. Promoting healthy lifestyles; yy Educational strategies for school dropouts
5. Protection of Youth especially girls
6. Improving youth participation and citizenship yy Low enrolment in Non-Formal Education
7. Justice and reintegration of youth in conflict with yy Lack of career education and counseling
the law yy Education for youth with special needs
3.1. Strengthening Education and Skills Strategic Objective 1:
Development
Increase Accessibility and Student Participation
Overview by Making Education More Engaging And More
Readily Available to All.
“Lack of education is a lack of light” the popular
saying went. Since the 1991 civil war, a lot of Key Priority Interventions:
extreme damage has been felt in terms of education
infrastructure,the central government’s ability to 1. To unify the curriculum they teach in private
deliver social services especially education, However, schools and the public to improve quality.
since the collapse of the last central government all 2. To promote and improve the quality of education
youth have experienced a lack of access to education in schools and universities, teachers, teacher
which has led to problems of violence and equality training to produce young professionals and
across the Somali community. In education, there are academics.
two confounding factors, first many children, and 3. To increase the number of teachers who have
young people participated in the conflict or fled to been certified (attended required teacher
seek refuge elsewhere, thus education was no longer training courses).
accessible, for this reason, governmental educational 4. To improve and rehabilitate the existing schools
institutions collapsed in 1991. It is due to this lack of and educational institutions and build new ones.
access to education that millions of children have 5. Promoting education by increasing the state
grown up illiterate which led to many problems, The budget to pay teachers’ salaries.
second confounding factor is poor-quality education, 6. Provision of accessible secondary education (to
which affected all areas, in education since the quality increase the level by 35% percent in 2021).
declined significantly during this era and this has 7. To ensure that all vulnerable youth (poor, IDPs,
been inherited in the present. Both of these factors marginalized groups and orphans) receive the
shall be discussed in the remaining unit. education they need.
8. Promoting educational opportunities for
teachers.
9. Encouragement of education for youth with
disabilities and support their needs.
10. Monitoring the quality of education in private
schools.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 11
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
11. Establishment of boarding and mobile schools to Key Priority Interventions:
ensure that youth in the rural areas have access
to basic education. 1. Expand the system of technical/Vocational
12. Promote equal access to education for boys and training institutions throughout all regions in
girls Somalia.
13. Provide for specific reintegration programs for 2. Setting sex-disaggregated student enrollment
girls that dropped out due to family pressure, targets for TVET annually and seeking small
early marriage, early motherhood, etc. business investment programs so that they
14. Provide special measures for girls to attain contribute more in the market.
higher education, encourage curriculums and 3. Encourage greater involvement of the private
school material that doesn’t reinforce gender sector in supporting and investing in TVET.
stereotypes, sex education, sexual harassment 4. Assist linking technical / vocational training to
policies for students and teachers etc. local labor market opportunities and needs.
15. Build schools for youth with special needs such 5. Support to technical equipment for the technical/
as the mentally handicapped children. vocational education and training to produce
16. Develop awareness programs so parents know qualified technicians.
the importance and benefits of education. 6. Improve the quality and diversify the skills of the
17. To seek subsidy for free education program by TVET education schools.
the help and collaboration of the international
community such as the World Bank, the Islamic 3.2. Raising Employment Creation and
Development Bank, United Nations, Arab League Economic Development
and other international organizations interested
to support Somalia. Overview
18. Promote student-led organizing within the
schools to encourage youth leadership. The high unemployment rate in Somalia is the
main expression of poverty. After analyzing and
Strategic Objective 2: considering the results of the consultation meetings,
unemployment has been identified to be one of
Empower the Non-Formal Education Sector(NPE) the main challenges Somalia suffers. When the
and Expand It in all the Regions of Somalia Somali regime collapsed in 1991, people awaked
up to a situation where all the government
Key priority interventions: institutions ceased to exist and the unemployment
cycle started to affect everyone. The statelessness
1. Develop high-quality curriculum for the NFE. and the prolonged civil war produced 70 to 80
2. Establish national structure for the NFE. percent unemployment among the youth. This
3. Awareness for prospective students of NFE. critical situation led to mass migration abroad of
4. Building the capacity of NFE schools and teachers the productive young population seeking better
through training, facilities such as the One Stop opportunities.
Youth Resource Centres.
5. Encourage rurally and urban communities to The need for job creation initiatives was the most
expand non-formal education. common request by young people during the
consultations.
Strategic Objective 3:
The critical issues for this priority area include:
Expand Opportunities for Technical/Vocational
Education and Training (TVET). yy Lack of National Youth Employment Strategy
yy Lack of Labor Act enforcement
yy Nepotism and corruption
yy Lack of youth centers for counseling and
employment promotion
12 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
yy Limited income generation opportunities and parliamentarians, directors, ambassadors, officials
economic activity sector and advisors.
yy Limited skills and training opportunities
yy High inflation rates Strategic Objective 3:
yy Encourage and mobilize the Somali Diaspora as
an economic investment source Promote Youth Self Employment as A Career
Alternative.
Strategic Objective 1:
Key Priority Interventions:
Promote the Development of Labour Act.
1. Promotion and organize awareness programs on
Key Priority Interventions: employment and labour market.
2. Provision of appropriate training courses for the
1. Developing and enforce the Labour Act that needs of the labour market.
promotes equal opportunities for young men 3. Enhance TVET schools.
and women. 4. Create of income generation and investment
2. Developing active labour market policies attuned activities through the launch of a gender
to the Somali context. responsive youth loan fund for start-up their own
3. Promote the business sector to play their role in businesses.
youth employment and creation of opportunities. 5. Create platforms, systems for self-employment
4. Campaign for the elimination of nepotism and i.e. SME and informal sector support,
corruption in the labour market. entrepreneurship programmes, credit schemes
etc.
Strategic Objective 2:
Strategic Objective 4:
Promote Youth Employment Creation Led by the
Government Create Linkages Between Education, Training
Institutions, and the Local Labour Markets.
Key Priority Interventions:
Key Priority Interventions:
1. The government must develop a gender
responsive youth employment strategy to plan 1. Ensuring the education curriculums is relevant
the creation of yearly employment. to respond the needs of the country. (courses
2. The Private sector should take their part for job should be applied instead of more theoretical).
creation and employment of youth. 2. Establish school-based career counseling
3. Youth should be given employment in all services.
government agencies military, NISA, and Police 3. Establish and maintain a robust labour market
so their energy is utilized towards security, information system to inform trades and
stabilization and nation rebuilding efforts. occupation training in the TVET system.
4. The government should recruit the right people 4. Preparing a platform and linkage between
for its positions regardless of his/her clan, gender employers and education institutions.
,or where they belong to. 5. Research and monitor local labour market needs
5. The education quality must be reviewed and so that youth base their education discipline
boosted. choice in line with the areas where the need is
6. Create a youth income (income generation). high.
7. The international organizations and the United 6. Provide equal opportunities for young women
Nations should play a big role in the employment and men, and offer incentives to encourage
creation for youth and reduce a large number of employers to employ young qualified women.
expatriates for the country positions. 7. Develop gender responsive recruitment/ human
8. Young men and women should be allowed resources strategies.
and encouraged to become ministers, 8. Increase the capacity of local government and its
partners to undertake labour market assessments
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 13
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
3.3. Peace and Security 8. Respect and include IDPs.
9. Engage young women and men in decision-
Overview making processes at all levels.
10. Create registration process for light weapons
The youth are aware that it is fundamental to achieve 11. Promote the participation of youth in community
security and peace in Somalia and express strong policing.
desires to be active participants in the peace building 12. develop safe spaces for youth in rural and urban
efforts. However, when the safety and security of areas.
young people are not guaranteed, many of them
can be brainwashed, radicalized and used for violent 3.4. Promotion and Strengthening of
and criminal activities organized by groups who take health and quality lifestyle
advantage of the youth vulnerability.
Overview
The critical issues for this priority area include:
Good health and quality of life for the Somali youth
yy Inadequate employment opportunities is important for them to participate and play a
yy Youth radicalization crucial role in sustainable state-building. The most
yy Violent extremism and terrorism significant issues raised during consultations were
yy khat addiction khat addiction often followed by HIV/AIDS and
yy High inflation malnutrition. Although HIV/AIDS is low in relation to
yy Drug and substance abuse (khat, alcohol) the neighboring countries, there is fear of an increase
yy Clan based conflict in the prevalence since the country’s borders are open
yy Resource-based disputes(water and grassing) and unprotected. This will pose a threat to the youth
yy Politicians quest for power who are the labor force and the future of the nation
yy Societal structure and discrimination
Strategic Objective 1: The critical issues for this priority area include:
Create Opportunities For Youth To Contribute To yy Cost of health services is high
Peace Building And Stability. yy Inadequate sexual reproductive health services
that are youth friendly
Key Priority Interventions: yy Limited health promotion, education and
prevention programs
1. Fully involve young women and men in peace yy Stigma and discrimination against people living
and state-building processes from the early with HIV/AIDS
planning stages, all the way to its implementation yy Insufficient budget and health investment
and monitoring. yy High rates of proven curable diseases – diarrhea,
2. Deliver alternative training,employment, respiratory infections, tuberculosis
rehabilitation and reintegration programs yy High malnutrition levels
targeting youth in conflict with the law. yy Lack of school nutrition programs
3. Involve youth in a campaign to counter violent yy Limited awareness of preventative health
extremism and terrorism. measures
4. Develop appropriate school curriculum and yy Violence against young women including sexual
course related issues of security and peace. violence
5. Application of national ID card for reference as yy Negative social and cultural norms
security measure. yy Inaccessibility of health services
6. Encourage youth to fully observe law and order yy Limited health services to nomadic people and
and support the law enforcement agencies. internally displaced persons
7. Provide training to the youth on peace building, yy Rise of gangs and drop out e.g. street children.
conflict resolution, security and countering yy Risk and effect of HIV/AIDS prevalent
violent extremism. yy Drug and khat abuse
14 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
yy Detrimental traditional practices (FGM) Strategic Objective 2:
yy Poor hygiene and sanitation practices
yy Inadequate qualified health specialists Prevent and Control the Spread of HIV/AIDS and
yy Insufficiency of gyms and fitness centers in Mitigate Against The Societal Impacts.
Somalia
yy Absence of fitness opportunities for female youth Key Priority Interventions:
Strategic Objective 1: 1. Fully endorse and support the Joint UN Team on
AIDS (UNAIDS) work plan, and strengthening the
Enable All Young People are Able To Access work of the Somali National AIDS Commission.
Information, Education, Counselling And Support 2. Regularly gather, analyze and disseminate
Services In The Areas Of Youth Health Priorities. information about the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
3. Target the most at risk populations with high-
Key Priority Interventions: quality prevention, treatment and core services.
4. Upgrade training of youth health service
1. Create a youth health service that provides providers to work efficiently with the most at-risk
preventative health support in the form of populations.
information, education and counseling services 5. Campaign against the stigma and discrimination
in such areas as reproductive health, drug abuse, that young people living with HIV and AIDS
abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. suffer.
2. Enhance health and nutrition feeding initiatives 6. Review, amend, enact and enforce Anti-
within schools. discrimination legislation.
3. Generate improved strategic information and 7. Strengthen awareness, capacity and advocacy
data about youth health status and challenges. skills amongst NGO’s, local government, religious,
4. Improve access to health services to nomadic political and community leaders regarding
youth populations. greater HIV prevention and support.
5. Promote the empowerment of women to 8. Develop formal and nonformal education
increase their decision-making power in regards curriculum support materials and services.
to reproductive health and access to justice. 9. Strengthen and support youth peer education
6. Raise awareness and promote initiatives that programs and networks.
reduce all forms of violence against women and 10. Simplify and encourage marriage.
girls including FGM, domestic violence, sexual 11. Educate basic conduct of Islamic faith.
offenses.
7. Create/establish physical exercise in schools and Strategic Objective 3:
local communities.
8. Include healthy style topics in the national Campaign To Lessen Khat Chewing And Smoking
education curriculum. Addiction And Other Substance Abuse
9. Ensure recruitment of medical professionals in
the health institutions and the ministry of health. Key Priority Interventions:
10. Public health hospitals and centers should be
prioritized according to the working hours than 1. Use media campaigns were religious and
the private centers. traditional leaders, poets participate in peer
11. Quality control Act of medicine must be initiated education programs to raise awareness of the
12. Increase awareness rising for the prevention hazards of khat and other drugs.
and treatment of HIV and AIDS and other 2. Advocate for legislation and by-laws to limit khat
communicable diseases. chewing and smoking.
13. Create urban and rural spaces for youth to access 3. Ban smoking and khat chewing in all educational,
information, training, and other services. youth and sporting institutions.
4. Create affordable rehabilitation and detoxification
centers.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 15
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
5. To campaign and promote to raise the national protection and other environmental preservation
sales tax on the Khat and the other drugs to activities
utilize this income for development working
hours according to civil service Act or labour The critical issues for this priority area include:
code should be adopted
6. Regulation of drug abuse to restrict consumption Migration
of khat in the workplace.
yy Underlying root causes of illegal immigrants
3.5. Protection and Safety of Youth Lack of employment opportunities
Brain drain influence
Overview Lack of market research before investing – a
large number of start-ups fail in a short period
Somalia experiences significant emigration of its youth of time
population, fleeing poverty and lack of employment Influence among the youth
opportunities. Many are illegal immigrants who take Unfair recruitment process
extreme risks to reach their dream of a better life. Absence of effective employment policies
Most are young people, who represent a continuing The youth’s perception of life in the western
‘brain drain’ from the country. The root causes of this countries (Quest for better life)
continuous emigration need interventions to address Lack of patriotism
these problems.
Sports and Recreation
Widespread unemployment, violence, and poor
judgment with emotional immaturity, has forced yy Gender bias, stereotyping and discrimination in
many young people to migrate and seek asylum in sports
a foreign nation for their search of better future. 50% yy Limited sports and recreation facilities or centers
of these young Somali migrants are believed to die Partial types of sport tournaments
during illegal migration. yy Limited sports options for youth with disabilities
yy Lack of community enthusiasm and understanding
Sports and recreation are very important factors for of sport importance
youth since this provides opportunities to socialize,
build social connections, counter boredom, spend Environment
their time productively, develop character and learn
new skills and teamwork. They also shape mental and yy Effect of climate change and global warming
physical wellbeing of the youth. There are limited yy Destructive behaviors towards environment
sponsored government youth centers. Inadequate yy Charcoal production and tree destruction
sporting facilities and programs are similarly limited, yy Soil erosion
especially for young females.
Strategic Objective 1:
Youth radicalization and violent extremism are the
challenges facing young people and the country in Focus on Alternative Options for Youth to Reduce
general. Protection and safety of youth from the harm Immigration.
of extremism is crucial through the collaboration and
coordination between governmental agencies, civil Priority Interventions:
society, the international community and the youth
themselves. 1. Develop National Employment policy and its
plan of action.
The environmental destruction is a rising alarm for 2. Develop labor market relevant technical and
the realization of sustainable development. The vocational education and training options.
consultation process strongly endorsed the need for 3. Engage youth in designing alternative potentials.
more focus and activities related to climate change, 4. Set up a “youth friendly Centers - Youth Clubs”
soil degradation, water conservation, charcoal use, where they can come and seek advice.
deforestation, plastic bag elimination, heritage 5. Use the media to raise awareness on the dangers
16 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
of illegal immigration as well as to promote recreational and sporting programs to the
existing opportunities in Somalia. personal development of both young men and
6. Awareness rising among the parents/friends/and women.
relatives to suspend financial assistance to the 6. Provide greater support and direction to youth
immigrating youth. and sports centers to enable them to become
more friendly and conducive to young people
Strategic Objective 2: with special needs.
7. Create safe spaces for sports in urban and rural
Encourage the Diaspora to Invest in their Country. areas.
Priority Interventions: Strategic Objective 4:
1. Organize a yearly conference of the Diaspora Enhance Environmental (Land And Sea) Knowledge
with a focus on youth development initiatives, And Awareness Among Somali Youth.
where Diaspora members should also provide a
real picture of life in Diaspora. Priority Interventions:
2. Encourage youth members of the Diaspora
to return back to Somalia to apply their newly 1. Youth should support government agencies
acquired skills in short and long term projects assigned to the rescue and protection of the
(mentoring local youth to duplicate what is in environment.
the west). 2. Preparation of an environmental protection
3. Develop exchange programs/internships to training.
educate Somalia youth and enable them to 3. The engagement of young people to visit projects
return with skills to their country. in other countries to study.
4. Start media programs that promote Somalia and 4. Organize events where youth gather to share
spread it to Diaspora to attract more investment the knowledge and awareness of environmental
and visitors. protection.
5. Prepare a documentary on the tragedy of deadly 5. To support the sanitation and garbage collection
immigration attempts. from local governments and companies to keep
our cities clean.
Strategic Objective 3: 6. Establish umbrella for NGOs working to
strengthen environmental protection.
Empower A Youth Sports And Recreation Strategy
Which Enhances Access, Equity And Opportunity
For Somali Youth. Strategic Objective 5:
Key Priority Interventions: Encourage The Active Involvement And Leadership
By Young People In Environmental Initiatives.
1. Strengthening sports and restarting the
interregional, regional and national tournaments Priority Interventions:
for both male and female athletes.
2. Reinforcement of arts, music, and the Somali 1. Enhance school curriculum in regard to
culture. environmental education.
3. Increase the opportunities for young women 2. Conduct media campaign jointly led by youth
and men to engage in a diverse range of sports and media outlets to promote environmental
and sporting competitions including soccer, awareness.
basketball, volleyball and athletics. 3. Appropriate training for pastoralists, fishermen,
4. Support the development of a network of youth farmers and all the people of Somalia to
resource centers. increase their productivity while protecting
5. Instigate media awareness programs to raise our environment to achieve sustainable
awareness amongst parents and community development.
and religious leaders of the importance of 4. To promote public awareness campaign based
THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 17
“Youth are change makers for development and stability”Priority Themes & Strategic Interventions
practices to reduce environmental damage. to promote the principles and priorities of
5. To produce clear procedure on charcoal citizenship.
production and encouraging other forms of 7. Provide forums and training opportunities for
environmental friendly energies. young people to develop leadership skills.
6. Building and protecting historic sites.
Strategic Objective 2:
3.6. Improving Youth Participation and
Citizenship Strengthen The Awareness Of Youth And The Wider
Community Regarding Active And Responsible
Overview Citizenship.
Youth in Somalia have demonstrated a commitment Key Priority Interventions:
to participate in community and national affairs.
All International declarations related to youth 1. Strengthen school curriculum relating to
development are dedicated to the need to create an citizenship and Islamic values education.
environment to enable young people to participate 2. Encourage initiatives which engage young
in the lead. people in the practice of mutual respect and
tolerance, including gender equality.
The critical issues for this priority area include: 3. Identify and implement programs and actions
that build national patriotism.
yy Limited youth participation opportunities 4. Develop and implement values education/
yy Lack of youth representation in political structures citizenship component of the school curriculum.
yy Lack of civic education programs in curriculum 5. Create community opportunities for the
yy Lack of volunteerism / community services ethos discussion by young people of civic/citizenship
yy Recognition of, and respect for youth contribution issues.
yy Importance of building national patriotism 6. Strengthen the media coverage of themes
yy Youth rights and responsibilities related to citizenship.
yy Cultural restrictions on participation 7. Support youth programs that strengthen the
yy Lack of youth self-mobilization and self-awareness principles and practice of active citizenship by
to their fundamental rights young people in the community and national
life.
Strategic Objective 1: 8. Build upon the experiences of o t h e r
c o u n t r i e s and introduce a Youth Parliament
Establishment Of Effective Support Towards Active program in Somalia.
Youth Participation In Social And National Issues 9. Create and approve the National Youth Council
for Somalia.
Key Priority Interventions: 10. Create strong citizenship so it may reduce the
youth migration.
1. Encourage and support volunteering programs 11. Organize competitions of poets and other
and supporting among the youth. literature on patriotism.
2. Encourage the representation of young women
and men in different levels of government and 3.7. Justice and Youth Conflict with the
non-governmental and community councils Law
decision is reached.
3. Creation and use youth advisory councils. Overview
4. Promote the inclusion of young women and men
in Parliament and other political and governance Among the Somalia, youth are those in conflict with
participation. the law who take part in various crimes including
5. Promote and secure micro grants from United terrorism, rape, murder, robbery, theft, piracy and
Nations (UN) agencies and international gang-related. Youth age bracket is a sensitive time
organizations to inspire youth. with high level of energy available that needs to be
6. Utilise religious and cultural gatherings used. This situation could lead the youth falling victim
18 THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA
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