G20 Summit To Address Critical Issues Facing Youth, Women, And Children

The G20 Sherpas are now directing their attention to critical issues highlighted by legislators from various countries. These lawmakers emphasise that the governments of all G20 member nations should prioritise investments in crucial areas such as ageing populations, gender equality, human security, and pressing societal concerns.

This renewed focus comes as a response to a report that highlights the importance of addressing these vital population-related matters. It is worth noting that while these issues have been consistently raised on a global scale, they have not always received the necessary consideration from influential organisations. Following discussions at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, the same report was presented during a meeting held on August 22 with the G20 organisers. This document underscores the significance of tackling these population-related challenges.

Deepender Hooda, Vice Chair of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) and a member of India’s Parliament noted the significance of a workshop held in New Delhi. He emphasised that India, as the host of the G20 summit, is a crucial player, particularly given its status as the world’s most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people as of April. India, as a developing nation, faces numerous challenges due to its large population, including issues like limited school attendance and high unemployment rates. Further, there is a concerning lack of budget allocation for critical sectors like healthcare and education.

Suneeta Mukherjee drew attention to alarming statistics, highlighting that India is among the top five nations with the highest drop-out rates for children aged 6 to 11 who leave school before completing their elementary education. The situation is worsening at upper primary levels, with a dropout rate of 3 percent in just two years. The annual dropout rate stands at nearly 15 percent, indicating that 15 out of every 100 students leave school before completing secondary education.

Education completion is not the sole concern; even those who complete their education often struggle to find employment. Mukherjee cited a source indicating that 36 percent of Indians aged between 15 and 34 consider unemployment their biggest concern.

Members of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD) stressed the importance of assessing the budget allocation for health and education by all members of parliament. Special attention to girls’ education was also emphasised. Manmohan Sharma, chief of IAPPD, highlighted the responsibility of MPs to ensure that no child in their constituencies gets left behind, emphasising that the solution lies in their hands, but prioritisation is currently lacking.

While global authorities have made many international agreements, they often fall short of meeting their targets. Therefore, delegates at the workshop discussed the goals and plans outlined in the “Programme of Action” of the International Conference on Population Development and the objectives of the “2030 Agenda” to ensure countries can meet their targets on time.

Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel from the Philippines shared her country’s efforts to support and protect women’s rights and healthcare for expectant mothers, including longer maternity leave, laws against child marriages, universal healthcare, and financial assistance. Safety measures for pregnant women and vulnerable elderly individuals are also being considered through legislation. To enhance citizens’ critical thinking and decision-making, the Philippines is investing in citizens’ health and comprehensive sexual health education.

Andrea W. Wojnar, India’s UNFPA representative, highlighted the potential of India’s 1.4 billion population when equipped with the right skills and opportunities. India has about 254 million individuals aged between 15 and 24, offering significant innovation potential, especially when women are empowered to make informed decisions about their bodies. Wojnar also pointed out challenges related to fertility rates and migration patterns in India. She stressed the importance of addressing these issues, particularly in a young country like India.

The G20 Sherpas’ declaration emphasised the need to improve the productivity of the working population. It called for policies and legislation to prevent gender-based violence and eliminate harmful practices like child marriages. Additionally, it recognised the crucial role of women and girls in political and economic activities for development and ensuring women’s liberty and choices.

The declaration also acknowledged the vulnerability of some countries to climate patterns and urged governments to invest significantly in universal health coverage, ensuring the security, income, and health of their citizens. Strengthening global health frameworks through legislation, budget allocation, and political will was highlighted as a crucial goal.