The second year of the pandemic challenged young people all over the world, especially girls. Not only have COVID-19 outbreaks undermined youth’s physical and mental health, and increased their stress with prolonged lockdowns and pessimistic prospects. It also caused severe economic challenges, restricted educational opportunities, and increased online and offline gender-based violence.
Huyen, 14 years old, from Lai Chau shares a dream during the pandemic. (Source: Plan International)
“It alarms us that youth across the region are still struggling with some of the same negative impacts of COVID-19 that we saw in 2020, while also dealing with additional and compounded stressors now that we are facing a third year of disruption,” said Bhagyashri Dengle, Plan International Executive Director for Asia Pacific.
“Girls, in particular, are in dire need of more robust support from governments and social service providers.”
Plan International actively shared and listened to the personal stories and experiences of girls and their peers during the COVID-19 pandemic, talking about activism they are involved in, and seeing the post-COVID world they long for through two initiatives "Imagine" and "Better Today".
"Imagine" is a global initiative through which Plan International encourages girls to share their hope for a better future without COVID-19.
"COVID-19 is an opportunity for people to reflect and make changes for a better life. Girls need to study well and raise their voices. I hope all children and girls receive medical care," said Quyen, 13, from Quang Tri.
"I dream of a world where everyone is kind to each other, where girls can decide their own future, where the whole family is vaccinated and healthy," shared Huyen, 14, from Lai Chau.
The "Better Today" report summarizes the experiences and initiatives of youth in the Asia-Pacific region after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plan International invited 9 young people from 5 countries (Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Indonesia) to participate in regional workshops where they can listen to stories from across the region, write each other letters or exchange pictures with meaningful messages.
The "Better Today" report collects their insights and shares a view of the pandemic from the perspective of young people in the region. They spoke of the loss and pain they felt because of the impacts of COVID-19 on their young lives. But their determination and fighting spirit came through as well. Youth in Asia Pacific want to start to build a Better Today.
The report highlights projects from many countries in the region to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, from mental healthcare to education during social distancing, to larger activities to raise funds for the communities.
"From strangers to friends, the regional workshops were the bridges to connect us all together. We shared personal stories, laughter and tears and delivered them through the letters and photo voices. Our friends are disseminating the stories they are creating in ‘youth-led movements’ by developing many new ways to contribute to the community," shared Ngoc Tien, 24, from Ho Chi Minh City.
In Vietnam, the COVID-19 pandemic with lockdown canceled nearly all the field trips and offline activities that youth activists had planned. Young people from different youth models such as Champions of Change, Peer Educators, Girls Clubs and Youth Advisory Committees have utilized online platforms to stay connected and motivate each other despite hardship./.