What does a safe space mean for you as a young person?

• An environment that is conducive enough for the development of a youth
• Schools as safe spaces for youth to learn and build their skills
• For girls and young women it means access to social spaces, technological spaces, and political spaces
• An environment that youth can live, thrive and maximize their potential

What are the benefits of having safe spaces for youth?

• Youth can fully participate in finding solutions for the challenges in their communities
• Safe spaces ensure the dignity and safety of youth
• Safe civic spaces enable youth to participate in governance issues
• Well planned physical spaces can accommodate the needs of diverse youth
• Balanced gender opportunities at work, home and market places

What are your wishes today as International Youth Day?

• Need for better education systems for Malagasy children and youth.
• Strengthen the status of Chadian youth in decision making
• Promote intergenerational exchange
• A comprehensive sexual education is needed
• Need to enhance youth leadership and participation
• Protection measures and structures for the communities most vulnerable
• Youth to be trained and properly resourced to engage in entrepreneurship

(Youth voices from:

Ghana, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia)