Youths and women have been two of the most disproportionately impacted groups during the pandemic, said speakers at a webinar yesterday.
They also discussed the priorities and policy implications, particularly in the youth and gender context, that must be considered in the 8th Five Year Plan of the government.
The webinar titled, "Reflection of Youth and Gender Issues in Five Year Plans in Light of Pandemic" was jointly organised by South Asian Network of Economic Modeling (SANEM) and ActionAid Bangladesh.
Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, a professor of Department of Economics at Dhaka University and research director of SANEM, moderated the event. She expressed concern over the youth unemployment rate (10.7 percent) which is higher than the national average; and the proportion of youth classified as NEET (not in employment, education or training), almost 30 percent of youth population aged between 18-29.
She also said a major challenge posed by the pandemic has been the disproportionate impact on women, both financially and through gender-based violence.
Chairing the event, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said the Covid-19 crisis must be taken into special consideration while designing strategies for the implementation of the 8th FYP.
She suggested increasing soft-skill training in the education system, encouraging youth entrepreneurship and investing in women by giving them free digital devices as part of social safety net coverage.
Keynote speaker Eshrat Sharmin, senior research associate of SANEM, pointed out that over 60 percent of households in Bangladesh do not have access to internet which makes obtaining virtual education difficult for a significant number of students.
Nobonita Chowdhury, director of Gender, Justice and Diversity and Preventing Violence against Women Initiative at Brac, stressed on special attention to challenges faced by women amidst the pandemic.
Planning Minister MA Mannan in his speech as chief guest said pre-existing gaps in youth employment and gender inclusiveness will be further exacerbated due to the pandemic.
Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM; Md Jahangir Alam, director of Directorate of Technical Education, Ministry of Education; Md Sayed Ali, deputy secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports; Maliha M Quadir, founder and managing director, Shohoz Limited, also spoke.
