Youth unemployment is one of the most pressing problems we’re facing today, and it is present in almost all societies. In addition to being an economic problem that faces the younger generation, it is also a psychological, social, and political problem. Thus, it threatens the stability of nations and countries.
Vladimir Drobnjak, Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, said: “Ensuring sufficient employment opportunities and decent work for all are the most pressing challenges that countries face today.” [1]
Unemployment is the inability to get a job opportunity despite constantly searching for one while having the ability to work. It is an economic phenomenon that arose from the imbalance between the demand rate and the available opportunities.
Since 1975, unemployment has become an essential part of the economic landscape as it cannot be separated from it. A limit called the “Natural Unemployment Rate” has been set, which cannot be decreased without causing inflation in the country. Not everyone who does not work is considered unemployed because they must be actively searching and seeking to obtain one. Students, pupils, and everyone who does not search for or want a job and has given away the idea of work are not considered unemployed. [2]
Arab countries came in first place with the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. Unemployment rates in the Arab region are near twice the global average, and they increased 2.5 times faster than the global average between 2010 and 2021, which greatly depletes the region’s economic potential. Therefore, this region is unable to use its youth’s full potential or benefit from them to achieve economic growth, stability, and peace.
Accordingly, the Arab region needs to find and create 33.3 million job opportunities by 2030 to reduce the unemployment rate to 5%. One of the most important reasons behind these results is the educational systems and the current curricula. Because it does not commensurate with the developments and progress that influence the job market and do not teach the youth any effective skill that leads them to success in light of the current economy. [3]
The high unemployment rate among young women in the Arab region is a severe problem affecting and disabling society as a whole. And by comparing the unemployment rate among men and women, we notice a large difference between them. The unemployment rate for women reached about 47.9%, while for men, it was 23.2%!
This difference is part of the large gap in the rates. By examining this problem, it becomes clear that there are many reasons behind it such as the social and cultural restrictions that women suffer from. Including the lack of commitment to achieving gender equality, which constituted a major reason for the problem.
All these aspects were a major obstacle to women’s choices and forced them to choose specific educational branches more than others, thus tightening their restrictions and shackles under the name of “unsuitable professions for women”. That prevented women from engaging in work and educational attainments in places that are considered, as they claim, only suitable for men. [4]
The problem of unemployment in the Syrian economy is rooted in it for decades. However, with the outbreak of war and the deterioration of the economy, this problem became a lot more severe. The war in Syria led to great destruction and imposed heavy costs on the country over the past decade. And the unemployment rate, which was 20% in 2010, increased to 78% in 2015! [5]
In this critical status of today’s Syrian economy, serious and effective steps must be taken to solve the unemployment crisis. By focusing on increasing investment rates in the Syrian economy. In addition to improving market conditions, raising the level of human development as well as scientific and technological development in all economic branches. [6]
Uplifting Syrian Women initiative believes in the right of every individual to have a work opportunity, especially women, away from the influence of gender in education and work fields. And through its activities, it is keen to provide young people with effective skills that enable them to enter the job market. Because the benefit will reflect not only on the individual but on society as a whole. It will also be a critical step toward achieving sustainable peace on the ground.
♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.
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References:
[1] UN News
[2] Aljazeera
[3] UNICEF
[4] ESCWA
[5] Arab Reform