[{"bbox": [145, 151, 1084, 413], "category": "Text", "text": "situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Mr Richard Bennett. It will therefore contribute to the building of a more inclusive society by promoting women's and girls' rights to equal participation and access to education, employment, and other aspects of public life. The action will contribute to the implementation of the EU's Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025 (GAP III)¹¹ which aims to accelerate progress on empowering women and girls, and safeguard gains made on gender equality. The Action contributes to the realisation of the Thematic areas of engagement “Ensuring freedom from all forms of gender-based violence” and “Promoting economic and social rights and empowering girls and women”."}, {"bbox": [145, 425, 217, 453], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Youth"}, {"bbox": [145, 465, 1084, 525], "category": "Text", "text": "In 2018, an estimated 63% of the Afghan population was under the age of 25, and 46% under the age of 15."}, {"bbox": [145, 535, 1084, 770], "category": "Text", "text": "The experiences and aspirations of Afghan youth are highly diverse – and are affected by gender, social status, geographical location, among other factors. Raised in the aftermath of the first Taliban regime (1996-2001), they have had relatively more access to education than the generations that preceded them. Many, particularly in urban areas, have had more access to media, social media, cultural content drawing on multiple and often competing reference systems. However, young men and women have also grown up in an environment marked by conflict and perpetual political, social, and economic uncertainty – affecting their social roles, including gender representations."}, {"bbox": [145, 780, 1084, 926], "category": "Text", "text": "Afghan youth often bear heavy duties towards their family and community, including providing for their relatives – both underage and the elderly, and social duties to marry and bear offspring who will in turn provide for the previous generation and the one to come. The social and economic pressures that come with these duties notably account for labour migration, but also recruitment in armed groups for male youth."}, {"bbox": [145, 937, 1084, 1142], "category": "Text", "text": "In 2017, the percentage of youth ‘not in employment, education or training’ was estimated at 42% for both sexes, and was particularly high for young women (Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey, 2017). In the context of a staggering economic crisis, pressures on youth are likely to be exacerbated, with risks of labour-market and social exclusion disproportionately higher for women, and heightened pressure placed on male youth. Restrictions on education for girls, but also the possible revision of education curricula are also likely to affect access to education and the pursuit of knowledge."}, {"bbox": [145, 1152, 1084, 1328], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will ensure the specific needs of young men and women are taken into account, including by engaging with CSOs representing their interests, where available. Particular attention will be paid to access to livelihood opportunities, basic skills, and the provisions of health services – with a specific focus on sexual and reproductive health for young women. Young women and girls are also among those targeted as part of the component of the action providing protection for survivors of SGBV."}, {"bbox": [145, 1348, 306, 1376], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Human Rights"}, {"bbox": [145, 1387, 1084, 1477], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will ensure the implementation of the Human Rights-Based Approach principles: applying all human rights for all; meaningful and inclusive participation and access to decision-making; non-discrimination and equality; accountability and rule of law for all; transparency"}, {"bbox": [145, 1568, 1084, 1616], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹¹ JOIN(2020) 17 final. Brussels, 25.11.2020. Source: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-01/join-2020-17-final_en.pdf"}, {"bbox": [1057, 1641, 1082, 1664], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "23"}]