After COVID, How Can Youth Help Address Gender-Based Violence?

USIP’s New ‘YouthTalks’ Series Explores Youth Engagement in Peacebuilding

Dubbed the “shadow pandemic” by the United Nations, gender-based violence rose dramatically during the COVID-19 crisis — particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. This unprecedented increase has challenged efforts to mitigate gender-based violence around the world, leaving policymakers in search of adaptive and successful strategies. As young people assume more prominent roles on the front lines of resolving conflict and building peace, youth have been a largely untapped resource for addressing gender-based violence at the community, national and international levels.

On August 4, USIP hosted the first event in our new series, YouthTalks. Organized by the USIP Youth Advisory Council, YouthTalks facilitates conversations between youth peacebuilders from conflict affected regions on key issues related to peace and security. This inaugural event featured youth peacebuilders from Colombia, Morocco, South Sudan and Afghanistan as they discussed how gender-based violence has changed since the start of the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on different genders and regions, and new approaches for addressing issues at the cross-section of age, gender and conflict.

For more information about this event, and to join the live audience Q&A, please visit

Para ver este evento en español, por favor visita

لمتابعة هذا الحدث باللغة العربية، الرجاء زيارة:

Speakers:

Paula Porras, welcoming remarks

Program Officer, Youth Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Negar Ashtari Abay, framing remarks

Program Officer, Gender Policy and Strategy, U.S. Institute of Peace

Panel Discussion:

Jau Raminez

Director, Somos Mov; USIP Generation Change Fellow from Venezuela

Soukaina Hamia

Account Manager, Women in Governance; USIP Generation Change Fellow from Morocco

Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai

Gender Advisor, Assistance Mission for Africa; USIP Generation Change Fellow from South Sudan

Sohaila Rezaee

USIP Generation Change Fellow from Afghanistan

Sophia Santi, moderator

Co-Chair, USIP Youth Advisory Council; USIP Generation Change Fellow

Paula Porras, closing remarks

Program Officer, Youth Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP