Legislative Engagement for young people in Africa

The issue of  youth is the most pressing matter for  Africa due to various factors including the demographic fact that the continent  is  mostly  inhibited  by  young people therefore Proper  engagement  of  youth at all levels  of  development and legislative processes is of  paramount importance. African governments  need  to  be  aware that if  they  do not  reform  and  are able  to integrate  the  youth in  their  development  effort  they  will  face  an adverse  situations  such as revolting and  restless  youth.  Therefore, the issue of  youth participation  and  youth representation needs to  be scaled  up  at  the level of  government-local, regional, and  national  levels as well as at  the level  of international organizations. But the key  responsibility  rests with  the youth to get organized, in other to achieve  the skills to  face up to the  adversity  and the frustrations that will  eventually  come  when moving from protest to participation. Africa’s large youth population may turn out to be a blessing if harnessed by engaging them in governance and decision-making. in the light of this, stakeholders should make a genuine effort to remove the hurdles faced by young people so that they can participate in the governance and development of their countries, regions and the continent at large. 

          A review  on  youth  engagement  in  legislative processes shows  that there  can  be broad-based  and  long-term  advantages  to  facilitating  and  fostering  participation  in  governance  and accountability  for  young  people. In fact, young  people  can become powerful  agents of  change and active citizens –  at  local, national  and global  levels if given the opportunity. Also, governments need to understand that by engaging the youth meaningfully, they can actively promote inclusive economic growth and development. But this will require a human rights-based approach that ensures that young people and other marginalized groups(NGO) can contribute to governance and development processes effectively. 

          In conclusion, engaging youth in democratic governance processes in  Africa could bring with it huge social, political and economic benefits to the continent.