Direct targeting of marginalized groups can yield promising resultsTwo new DIIS Policy Briefs discuss youth employment and gender in fragile situations Young people constitute an important share of the population in developing countries, yet governments and aid agencies have generally been slow to fashion responses to their specific needs. This appears to be rapidly changing. Particularly in fragile states, youth is increasingly being singled out as a target group deserving specific attention in terms of intervention programmes. The rationale for these interventions is linked to preventing violence and reinforcing developments to increase stability. The brief pays particular attention to young peoples’ own |
| experiences and perceptions regarding employment opportunities and recommends an increased policy concern for integrated approaches, direct targeting, an urban focus and economic production. Gender relations matter often more in fragile states than in other states, yet they are all too often ignored by policy-makers. Conflict affects women in different ways to men – but reconstruction provides new opportunities for transforming gender relations in a positive direction. One possibility is to make use of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which includes the protection of women against gender-based violence and ensures their participation in peace-building processes. Research shows that gender relations are affected in conflict and post-conflict situations in three areas in particular: health and education, employment and income, and violence. |
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