Neha Gogoi
The aspirations of a democracy can only be realised when its youth, along with marginalized communities, are its active agents. Empowering youth from marginalized communities is not just a commitment to be made, but it is a democratic imperative. In a diverse country like India, structural inequalities related to caste, religion, class, ethnicity, and geography are still relevant. Such diverse problems ensure gender justice, social inclusion, and democratic participation for all youth, leading to both a challenge and an opportunity.
Through my research as a part of the IMPRI Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship (EPAYF) Cohort 2.0, I researched the intersectional vulnerabilities faced by marginalized youth and highlighted the importance of equipping them with the tools, platforms, and opportunities necessary for their meaningful participation in society. Drawing from both research insights and developmental perspectives, the article underscores the urgent need for inclusive and gender sensitive policy frameworks and community-driven practices.
A multi-Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) approach offers a robust framework to understand and address the complex, interlinked challenges faced by marginalized youth. This article explores how such a framework can operationalize inclusive development by embedding youth agency, gender equity, and civic engagement into policy and practice.
Understanding Marginalization in the Youth Context
Marginalized youth are defined as those who are systematically excluded from mainstream opportunities based on factors such as caste, class, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or geographic location. In India, millions of young people in rural and tribal areas, urban slums, and conflict–affected regions contribute.
Gender Justice as a Cornerstone of Empowerment
Gender justice is more than securing equality on paper; it involves radical action to end entrenched patriarchy and gender norms limiting opportunities for youth, especially women and the non-binary. It takes empowering marginalized youth to consider a gender sensitive lens to intersectionality—how gender intersects with caste, religion, region, and economic status.
For example, rural girls can be subject to early marriage, mobility restrictions, and limited reproductive health and education access. LGBTQ+ youth, meanwhile, are commonly subjected to stigma, bullying, and family rejection and thus suffer from poor mental health outcomes. Gender justice initiatives must incorporate safe spaces, affirmative policies, gender-sensitization programs, and mental health support systems that are specific to the lived experiences of these groups.
Fostering Social Inclusion through Access and Representation
Social inclusion is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their identity or background, has equitable access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making processes. For marginalized youth, inclusion means being seen, heard, and valued in public discourse and institutional frameworks.
This involves addressing digital divides that prevent rural and low-income youth from accessing online education, information, or social networks. It also calls for reforms in the education system to include inclusive curricula that reflect diverse histories and experiences. Moreover, affirmative action in higher education and employment remains vital for improving the representation of marginalized communities in key sectors.
Community-based initiatives such as peer education programs, youth collectives, and leadership training can play a crucial role in empowering marginalized youth to claim their space. These programs offer platforms for skill-building, solidarity, and self-expression that challenge exclusionary norms.
Enabling Democratic Participation: From Voice to Agency
Democracy thrives when its citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered. However, the voices of marginalized youth are often absent or underrepresented in political and civic spaces. Participation must extend beyond voting to include involvement in local governance, policy advocacy, and social movements.
Barriers to participation include a lack of civic education, institutional apathy, tokenistic
engagement, and intimidation. Youth-led organizations and movements have shown that when provided with the right tools—knowledge, networks, mentorship—they can lead transformative change. The anti-CAA protests, student-led climate action, and movements against gender-based violence are testimony to the power of youth agency.
Institutional mechanisms like youth parliaments, student unions, and participatory budgeting can be reformed to be more inclusive and representative of marginalized voices. Moreover, capacity-building initiatives in the form of fellowships, policy training, and grassroots leadership programs can equip youth with the confidence and skills to engage in democratic processes meaningfully.
Policy Recommendations and the Way Forward
Empowering marginalized youth requires a multi-pronged approach that combines legislative action, institutional reforms, and community participation. Some policy recommendations include:
- Intersectional Policy Design: Youth and gender policies must adopt an intersectional lens, recognizing the overlapping nature of various forms of discrimination.
- Enhanced Investment in Education and Skill Development: Focused investment in inclusive education and vocational training can bridge opportunity gaps.
- Gender-Sensitive Health and Safety Measures: Holistic support systems for survivors of violence, menstrual health education, and sexual and reproductive rights are essential.
- Digital Inclusion Initiatives: Provision of affordable devices, internet access, and digital literacy programs for remote and marginalized communities.
- Strengthening Local Youth Institutions: Reviving and democratizing platforms like the Nehru Yuva Kendra and National Service Scheme to reflect grassroots realities.
Conclusion
Empowering the marginalized youth is not a charitable act but a democratic necessity. By
advancing gender justice, ensuring social inclusion, and facilitating meaningful participation, we lay the groundwork for a more equitable and resilient society. This empowerment must not be episodic but systemic, rooted in policy, practice, acceptance, and a shift of perspectives.
The road ahead is demanding but also promising. With youth-led advocacy, responsive institutions, and inclusive governance, we can reimagine a future where every young person, regardless of their background, can lead with dignity, purpose, and power.
About the contributor: Neha Gogoi is an MA political science Student at Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh. She is a fellow of EPAYF 2.0 – Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship, Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Building a Sustainable Plant-Based Food System: A Grassroots Journey through Fatehgarh and Ambala
Dialogue Between Nature and Development: Lessons from Kanche Gachibowli
Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Khushboo Dandona, a research intern at IMPRI.
