Youth Employment in Post-Conflict Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of Asia’s most enduring tragedies. Throughout the 20th century, the Afghans have suffered untold hardships, destruction, and devastation. Decades of wars have wrecked an already impoverished country, and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, droughts, and floods, have resulted in more calamities. Afghanistan also produced one of the largest single refugee populations in the world. Afghanistan is a country that drags itself from one day to another in a daily struggle for survival.

In the midst of ongoing uncertainties and endurance, there is a hope: the youth of Afghanistan. Although war-stricken and hostage to grief and calamities, Afghan youth are the builders of a peaceful and progressive Afghan State.

As an Afghan youth activist, I believe that apart from education, which is a must for Afghans (young and old), an important aspect in strengthening the socioeconomic condition of Afghan youth is the accessibility of employment opportunities. I deem the following four points compulsory as we seek employment for Afghan youth in post-conflict Afghanistan:

• One of the biggest job markets in post-World War II Europe was that of the reconstruction and rebuilding industry. Afghanistan as it stands today needs reconstruction and rebuilding. This process will provide a large number of job opportunities for Afghan youth with limited skills in their respective communities, who will provide the main working force for these reconstruction projects.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other international governmental organizations (IGOs) are other potential job markets for Afghan youth. The participation of these NGOs and IGOs in different humanitarian and rehabilitation projects in different Afghan communities will offer short-term employment opportunities, which can provide necessary skills and learning experiences that will benefit Afghan youth in seeking future employment in many of these fields.
• Government-sponsored programs that will help Afghan youth learn technical and professional skills should be initiated. These programs can be run independently or jointly with the collaboration of agencies specializing in different technical fields. A three- to six-month vocational training program for Afghan youth will offer the expertise necessary to ensure employment in different job markets. This training would greatly benefit Afghan youth who lack required skills, and will increase their prospects for achieving employment.
• A national “hire a youth” program is another important initiative that will ensure youth participation in different fields of the Afghan job market. In collaboration with government institutions and other private businesses, this program will require every employer to hire an Afghan youth, according to his or her skills and abilities. Under the supervision of the government, this nationwide program will ensure employment opportunities for Afghan youth, from the local to the national level.

The YES Country Network of Afghanistan will play an important central role in addressing youth issues. YES can act as a supervisory and consultive body as well as a network of local and national youth groups who are working for the betterment of the Afghan youth community. It will also work as a unifying force in bringing together youth from different ethnic and tribal communities and will set a standard for building a cohesive Afghan youth community.