Disability is not Inability

:: HIGHLIGHTS OF KENYA NATIONAL YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES POLICY (KNYP)

WHAT YOUTH POLICY?

The policy is a blueprint for youth with disabilities (YWD) development initiatives. It contains the definition, aspirations, and vision of the Kenya Youth with disability. It recognizes the YWD as the people between the ages of 15 and 30 years. It addresses itself to the main issue impinging on the YWD and suggests logical solutions to these issues through its action plan.

Do the youth definitions (as stated in the youth policy) realistically inclusive of the youth with disabilities? How can we realistically present the development needs of the YWD?

The policy further identifies itself with the priority target groups; among whom are the youth at risk, steel youth, youth with disability, youth infected with HIV/AIDS, out of school youth and female youth. Most importantly, the policy identifies the eight thematic areas of great concern to the youth thus simplifying the complex process of youth emancipation.

Why the policy focusing on YWD?

The policy itself comes in the face of a myriad of challenges facing the youth in Kenya; although the number of organizations dealing with youth issues has increased over the years, the lack of a comprehensive policy makes it difficult for these groups to effectively address these challenges.

CHALLENGES

• Unemployment and under employment;
• Health related problems;
• Increasing school and college drop-out rates;
• Crime and deviant behaviour’
• Abuse and exploitation facilities;
• Limited participation and lack of opportunities;
• Limited and poor housing;
• Limited access to information and communication technology (ICT).

The Vision

The National Youth with Disabilities Policy visualizes a society where YWD too have an equal opportunity as other citizen their fullest potential, productively participating in economic, social, political, cultural and religious life without fear or favour.

The Goal

The overall goal of the Policy is to promote youth with disabilities participation in democratic process as well as in community and civil affairs, and ensuring that Disabled youth programs involve them and youth-centered.

Youth Profile

The youth in Kenya, who number about 9.1 million, account for about 32% of the population. Of these, 51.7% are female. The youth form 60% of the total labor force but many of them have not been absorbed in the job market owing to the country’s high unemployment level. How many are living with disabilities?

PRINCIPLES AND VALUES UNDERLYING THE NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY

i) Respect of cultural belief systems and ethical values that do not discriminate against disabilities;
ii) Equity and accessibility defined with social model of disability;
iii) Gender inclusiveness;
iv) Good Governance;
v) Main streaming disability youth issues.

Implementation

Once adopted by parliament as The National Youth Policy, a National Youth Council (NYC) will be established. This will ensure effective implementation of the NYP. The National Youth Council will also facilitate, co-ordinate, monitor, advocate and promote youth-led initiatives, under the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs. The NYC will have representatives of youth with disabilties.

This Institutional Framework will minimize duplicity and enhance efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to the youth.

The Council shall be managed by youth elected from all over republic. There shall be special constituency to include youth with disabilities.

The National Youth Policy Action Plan

The National Youth Policy Action Plan will act as a vehicle for prioritizing public actions aimed at creating an enabling environment for the youth to fully achieve their potential.

The responsibility of ensuring that the aspirations and hope of the youth are met cannot be left in the hands of a single shakeholder: Everyone in the community both young and old must play their role. The social structures must be accessible to all including physical, virtual and legal environment for YWD to compete fairly and play their role effectively.

The Action Plan provides for strategic areas that must be addressed within universal design in order for Kenya’s young people to effectively play their role in nation building.

These are:

• Employment Creation;
• Health
• Education and Training
• Leisure, Recreation and Community Service;
• The Environment;
• Crime and Drugs;
• Information and ICT;
• Participation and Empowerment;

The youth are classified into priority target groups to make it easier to tackle challenges unique to each group. The classification should not be an excuse for marginalisation but an avenue for representation. The priority groups are:

• Youth with Disability;
• Street youth;
• Youth Infected with AIDS;
• Female Youth;
• Unemployed Youth;
• Out of school Youth.

disabilitykenya