Thread by @segenyan

Significant portion of #Tigray population with an enormous potential for change is YOUTH (age 18 - 29 for this context; However without a census for over 2 decades, exact figure remain obscure 😏). Currently war, siege and previously Covid-19 have affected their lives immensely.

Many had to grab arms and fought to defend their sovereignty during the two years long war, disengaging from their daily life and aspirations. Others if they escaped being arrested or killed by forces of 🇪🇹 , 🇪🇷 and Amhara, they have been displaced,

ending up in collective IDP centers, with families or separated and being responsible for their siblings. Most horribly, young women have been raped and became victims of violence which affected their physical, social and psychological wellbeing.

For those staying in their homes, things were also difficult. Education was discontinued for over three years and still is and making them feel over aged for their class. Work and their dreams have been disrupted leaving them aimlessly wonder around or

engage in vulnerable activities such as gambling, theft or drugs. For others it’s psychological impact has brought stress, PTSD and other effects. Generally, their problems are much deeper than mentioned and needs a wider investigation into the extent and it’s consequences.

Regardless, the youth have shown potential in leadership and sustaining their life through out the difficult times. Military leaders have expressed their satisfaction despite their preconceived perception of irresponsibility or the general stigma towards new generations.

Within their community, they have proven resilience by innovating and rising up to the occasion and creating solutions to their pressing issues. And now in post war #Tigray youth are in a constantly changing environment where what lies ahead is still vague and unpredictable.

In theory, postwar transformation promises once-in-a-lifetime chance to reconstruct broken state institutions and society while avoiding the errors of the past. It’s therefore an opportunity to impose significant shift on political, economic and social transformations that affect

the youth, even if the numerous challenges that lies ahead of #Tigray. Therefore, their needs should be carefully addressed in the transition process. It’s is crucial to involve them as they will be responsible in implementing and be affected directly by any decision.

SO if they aren’t at the center of the table, who ought to be? We need to avoid the paternalistic approach and start engaging with them to listen, speak and make decisions about their future!

Otherwise fatigue, disengagement, resistance, substance abuse and ultimately brain drain will occur when they are not taken seriously as cogent citizens with experience, knowledge, reflection and collaborative skills.

However, we need to be careful as youth are not a homogeneous group; this makes it important to examine their diverse interest, peer and power relationships, map and understand the motivations within their context.

For example out Veteran youth who have recently returned from combat seek a special and specific intervention which should also be guided by clear policy for a sustained solution in addition to the overall youth framework. Women on the other hand have to be involved in a curated

manner given their social engagement culture. In this regards, digital practices of youth have brought opportunities in alternatives to engaging young people, this could be utilized for their direct impact on change processes. This will bridge the gap of making them from a mere

participants to a co-creators and co- producers of solutions that fits their needs. As it takes far more than bricks and mortar to rebuild a shattered society, the greater challenge will then be to restore young #Tegaru sense of possibility, responsibility, dignity, and optimism.

Therefore, as it was vital to harness Youths power during the war, it is equally important to utilize their potential within post war #Tigray making them part of the transition so as they own the process and create a platform for “youth led recovery and rebuilding of #Tigray”.