What we did
Young people in urban LMIC are facing new and unprecedented levels of safety risk. Urbanisation, migration, demographic shifts, climate change and decreasing economic stability in the wake of COVID19 are threatening young people’s safety in new ways. Globally, an estimated 1 of 2 children aged 2–17 suffer some form of violence yearly (WHO, 2020) with youth violence happening mostly in public spaces between acquaintances and strangers, often involving weapons. Young women and girls are particularly at risk, with most having experienced some form of violation, from harassment to rape to gender killings (UN Women, 2017). Insecurity in young people affects their access to education, future employment and leadership opportunities (WHO, 2020). COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities and safety issues for children and young people in urban LMIC, e.g. through movement restrictions, loss of income, isolation, overcrowding, job losses. These challenges are exacerbated by 1.Weak capacities of local governments to address sustainable urban management and focus on young people as a target group 2. Underlying systemic factors of unsafe urban environments for young people and their future opportunities 3. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic However, Cities in LMICs, often plagued by multiple competing priorities, have limited capabilities (understaffed, limited financial resources, information, corruption) to respond to urban challenges (rapid demographic urban growth, resolving the urban paradox of inequality and vulnerability vs privilege and access) and are thus unable to foster a sustainable urban growth that prioritizes young people’s safety.
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