Ensure youth are safe, to achieve their full potential

Being young is something that should be celebrated. Lately, however, the life of a youth can be equated to walking through enemy territory; a large barren land with landmines strategically placed to destroy. At any one point you might step on one and it can either leave you dead, badly injured or with a few scratches. If you are well-equipped, you might just be able to avoid them altogether and cross safely to the other side.

While they may bear many names, some landmines have an eternal implication. Various reports attest to this. Every day seven women aged between 10 and 24 die due to unsafe abortions. We are also witnessing suicidal deaths among young people. There are many reasons given for these deaths. However, have we ever thought that perhaps these are not the real reasons? That perhaps the main reason is that the victims don’t feel safe to share their predicaments with the society around them? For example, the young woman may opt to do a backstreet abortion, not because she wants to but because she’s more afraid of what her parents would do to her. The young man who commits suicide after being caught in a ‘jam’ would rather die than be ridiculed for being vulnerable. Could it be that this lack of feeling safe- as if they are alone with no one to turn to- is the beginning of their end?

REFERENCE

In order for life to make sense, it needs a structure. This structure “provides the relatively fixed points of reference we need”, states Alvin Toffler in his book The Third Wave. Structure offers orderliness. There’s a way that things should be done for result ‘X’ to be achieved. This is great in business but it rarely happens in life. Just when you think things are working out, life throws you a curve ball. You may have wanted the best for your child but something happens along the way and they end up being in an unexpected position. You may have seen a doctor in them but one day art found them, taking root and like an infectious weed, killed the ‘doctor gene’ in them. You may be under the most gruesome religious regime in your life but because temptation knows no man or status, it might find you while you are ‘asleep’ changing your life’s trajectory. Are we prepared for that?

POINTLESSNESS

When life happens, it is the response to the situation that matters. Most of the times we are caught unawares and like the young man and woman, we may feel like we have reached the ‘end’, with feelings of hopelessness or pointlessness, squarely placing us between a rock and a hard place. It is in this regard that the aspect of safety comes in. How safe are we as a society? How safe are you as a parent, sister, friend, workmate, church leader, etc.? If you are approached by someone in a ‘situation’, will you extend grace or will you be the one that will hammer in the first nail? A safe society begins with a safe home and a safe individual. Begin by being prepared for the unexpected. If your home is characterised by harsh words and unacceptance when expectations are not met, your children will not turn to you when they are in trouble now and in the future. Let them understand that they can come home “no matter what.”

DISAPPOINTMENTS

In the same breath, we must teach the youth that ‘no’ is an acceptable answer, teaching them to deal with life’s disappointments so that when they are jilted, have to wait a little longer for that job or business to pick up, they will be equipped to handle that season of life. Learn to also change with the times remembering that contraceptives are cheaper than coffins. We must also be actively involved in being safe. Be known for listening and supporting those who have been caught up as it might happen to you too. The government should support the mental health agenda and invest in facilities that support it as some cases need professional interventions. Finally, young people, pray persistently for it leads to hope but also learn to take responsibility for your mistakes. If you mess up, don’t run. Be courageous enough to face it.

Life is to be lived to the fullest!

Ms Wanjohi is the founder of Mazingira Safi Initiative. [email protected]