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The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) has been engaged in advocacy and providing technical support to harness the demographic dividend in more than 20 African countries since 2013. Join AFIDEP’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliya Zulu, among other experts, as he shares reflections on Youth Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) in East and Southern Africa Report from a demographic dividend Perspective.

The demographic dividend refers to the accelerated economic growth that is initiated by a rapid decline in fertility and mortality that results in a change in the age structure from one dominated by child dependents to one dominated by economically productive working-age adults. Although youth between 15 and 24 years old constitute about twenty percent of the population in most African countries, the lived reality of many of them is that they are not in education or training to prepare them for the labour market, and neither are they in any form of employment. This minimises their ability to improve their own lives and to contribute positively to the sustainable development ambitions of their countries.

UN Women ESARO commissioned a quantitative report on the NEET status in nine countries in East and Southern Africa that had recently conducted a household or labour force survey and had data available for analysis as part of ensuring that recovery efforts from the COVID pandemic also reduced the number of youth, particularly young women, who were not in employment, education, or training.

The regional report summarises the findings of each country and provides a detailed analysis of youth NEET in the region. The main objectives of the report are: to raise public and stakeholders’ awareness of NEET issues and status in the region; to publicise the regional report and associated products, and inspire and guide discourse on policy issues for informed advocacy.

Other experts featured at the launch and seminar include:

• Jack Abebe, Knowledge Management and Research Specialist, UN Women
• Zebib Kavuma, Deputy Regional Director, UN Women ESARO
• Isabella Schmidt, Regional Gender Statistics Specialist, UN Women ESARO
• Michael Faraday, Coordination and Research, UN Women ESARO
• Helen Perry, Education Policy Analyst (Independent Consultant at UN Women ESARO)
• Maria Payet, Labour Statistician, International Labour Organization (ILO)

The seminar is an initiative of the UN Women who are global champions for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. They are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality.

Read further on AFIDEP’s Demographic Dividend project that sought to support evidence generation and policy engagement to enhance government commitment to addressing population challenges and foster inclusive socio-economic development using the demographic dividend paradigm.

Register for the seminar here: bit.ly/YouthNEETinESA

Download Dr. Eliya Zulu’s presentation.

E.-Zulu-DD-and-UNWOMEN-NEET-in-ESA-Region-25-05-2022-Final-FFF-1.pdf