UNICEF Champions Adolescent Voices in Ranchi Consultation on Development and Empowerment
In a significant move to prioritize youth perspectives, UNICEF organized a comprehensive Partners’ Consultation on Adolescent Development and Empowerment in Ranchi. The event was distinguished by its strong emphasis on direct, unfiltered discussions with children and adolescents themselves, focusing on critical issues that impact their daily lives and futures.
Youth Take Center Stage to Address Pressing Concerns
The consultation actively involved child reporters and young changemakers, who played a pivotal role by sharing personal experiences, voicing concerns, and offering practical recommendations. Key topics addressed included school dropouts, early marriage, health, safety, and mental well-being. This interactive platform empowered children to articulate their viewpoints directly, ensuring their insights contribute to actionable strategies. A primary objective highlighted was the ambitious goal of making Jharkhand child marriage free by 2029, with adolescent input being integral to this mission.
Leadership Emphasizes Adolescent Participation and Government Commitment
Kaninika Mitra, UNICEF’s chief of field office, underscored the consultation's value, stating, “The consultation reaffirmed the importance of meaningful adolescent participation through child reporters and youth collectives, ensuring that young voices help shape policies and programmes.” This approach aims to embed youth perspectives into the core of development initiatives.
Echoing this commitment, Kiran Pasi, Director of the state social welfare department, outlined government priorities. She emphasized that ending child marriage and ensuring adolescents, particularly girls, complete their education while accessing quality health, protection, and livelihood opportunities remains a top governmental focus. Pasi added, “Through strong convergence across departments, we are building an enabling ecosystem to help adolescents realise their full potential.” This multi-departmental strategy seeks to create a supportive environment for adolescent growth and empowerment.
The consultation not only facilitated dialogue but also reinforced collaborative efforts between UNICEF, government bodies, and young people, marking a proactive step toward sustainable adolescent development in the region.
