Adolescent inequity stands as a compelling and widespread global challenge that extends beyond national boundaries, exerting a profound impact on marginalised communities across the world. This blog post undertakes an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted nature of adolescent inequity on a global scale, underscoring the critical importance of strategic investments in adolescents as a potent means to alleviate these disparities and construct a more equitable society.
Adolescents, regardless of their geographical context, encounter a multitude of disparities in opportunities and the way they are treated. These inequities manifest in various forms and are intricately influenced by a range of factors, including economic disparities, regional resource allocation, and socioeconomic determinants. Adolescents hailing from less privileged communities often bear the disproportionate burden of these disparities, which in turn restricts their access to essential services and life opportunities, ultimately impacting both their physical and mental well-being during this critical developmental period.
The evident wealth gap emerges as a pervasive contributor to adolescent inequity across the globe. Families with limited financial means find themselves struggling to provide their adolescents with essential necessities, which in turn leads to pronounced disparities in health, education, and overall well-being. In response, there is a compelling need to adapt existing social safety net programs on a global scale to alleviate poverty, particularly among adolescents. Strategic investments in such programs can handle a significant influence in mitigating income-related disparities, transcending the boundaries of individual nations.
Secondly, adolescents worldwide, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, face elevated risk factors, including exploitation of sexual and reproductive health rights, violence, trauma, and various adversities that exert far-reaching consequences on their overall well-being. The implementation of trauma-informed practices within schools and youth-serving systems globally is paramount to addressing and mitigating the impact of trauma on adolescents. Investment in training and resources for trauma-informed care stands as a potent approach to ensure that adolescents worldwide receive the necessary support to thrive.
Lastly, the prevalence of bias and discrimination within various systems can exacerbate inequities. It is sitting upon the global community to consider the adoption of predictive analytics as a universally applicable tool for enhancing decision-making processes. By meticulously designing and implementing these algorithms, it becomes feasible to reduce bias and improve transparency in decision-making across diverse contexts, encompassing child welfare, juvenile justice, and education.
Strategic investments in adolescents present a promising pathway to alleviate global inequities. It is imperative to consider several key strategies to effectively address these challenges. Foremost, investing in adolescent education, especially within underserved communities worldwide, emerges as a matter of paramount importance. This endeavour encompasses the assurance of equitable funding, the provision of comprehensive resources, and the redressal of disparities in educational quality and attainment. By guaranteeing access to high-quality education for all adolescents, we can make substantial strides in reducing global disparities in academic achievement.
Adolescents hailing from marginalised/less privileged backgrounds often grapple with heightened mental health challenges, frequently stemming from trauma and adversity. Investments in accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services can facilitate the resilience-building process for adolescents worldwide, enabling them to overcome these obstacles.
Adolescents from marginalised communities often lack the autonomy and systemic support needed to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Achieving equity in access to sexual and reproductive health, supported by policies and systems, is essential for them to attain their desired sexual and reproductive health and rights. Furthermore, involving adolescents in informed decisions and choices related to their sexual and reproductive health fosters reproductive autonomy, which is crucial for their overall health and well-being.
To mitigate global inequity, it is imperative to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices within youth-serving systems. This necessitates acknowledging and rectifying biases in decision-making, assuring equitable treatment, and providing opportunities for professional training with a specific focus on cultural competence, a universally relevant skill.
Economic development, affordable housing, and community programs are potent instruments for empowering marginalised communities worldwide. These initiatives provide adolescents with safer neighbourhoods and access to opportunities for personal growth and success, regardless of their geographical location.
In conclusion, adolescent inequity is an intricate and universal issue that calls for a multifaceted global approach. Strategic investments in adolescents are instrumental in addressing disparities in income, wealth, resources, trauma exposure, and decision-making bias. These investments not only enhance the lives of adolescents but also contribute to the construction of a more equitable global society where all individuals, irrespective of their geographical location, possess an equal opportunity to thrive. The journey towards a fair and just global society commences with the assurance that every adolescent, regardless of their geographic location, is granted the opportunities and support required to attain success. By embracing these principles and implementing strategic investments, we can collectively work towards a brighter and more equitable future for adolescents worldwide.
About the Authors:
Dr Zohra Lassi (PhD) is an Associate Professor and NHMRC Emerging Leader-2 (EL2) Fellow at the Robinson Research Institute and the School of Public Health of the University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Dr. Salima Meherali (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta.
Competing Interest: None
Handling Editor: Neha Faruqui