Module Human Rights in Development Planning and Management

Module Code DPMH 213

Lecturer Dr Chibanda

Program Development Planning and Management

Class Level 2.1

Group 5 Members
Felistas Mabhena R2311185F
Kudzaishe Tembo R237372Z
Tapiwa Matenga R205812B
Dylan Gwena R237171T
Bernadette Chikosi R233147J
Isheanesu Munetsi R227817E
Omega Vhashi R237102J
Panashe I Mputa R236520A
Theophilus Moyo R232072V
Tanaka Chigovanyika R238452V

Examine how poverty impacts on the attainment of youth rights

Introduction

Poverty poses a profound challenge to the realization of youth rights around the world. On one
hand, the multidimensional impacts of poverty from limited access to quality education and
healthcare to heightened risks of exploitation and lack of civic participation serve as significant
barriers to young people fulfilling their full potential. As scholars have argued, poverty deprives
individuals of the basic capabilities needed to live the kind of life they have reason to value,
undermining a wide range of fundamental rights (Sen, 1999; Nussbaum, 2011). However, there
are various policy approaches and interventions that can help mitigate these negative impacts.
Governments and civil society can implement targeted poverty alleviation programs, ensure
equitable access to quality education and comprehensive healthcare, promote youth
empowerment and participation, strengthen child protection systems, and address the underlying
structural causes of poverty and inequality. By adopting a comprehensive, rights-based strategy,
it is possible to create an environment where all young people, regardless of their socioeconomic
background, can thrive and actively exercise their rights.

This essay will explore the multifaceted ways in which poverty undermines youth rights, while
also outlining key policy solutions and interventions that can help overcome these challenges and
ensure a more equitable and just future for the next generation

According to the World Bank, poverty is the inability to attain a minimum standard of living.

Youth rights refer to the fundamental human rights and freedoms that are specifically applicable
to young people, typically those in the age range of 15-35 years old.

Discussion

One of the most fundamental rights challenged by poverty is the right to education. Education is
a key central capability that empowers individuals and allows them to meaningfully participate
in society (Nussbaum, 2011). However, poverty can prevent young people from accessing quality
education. According to C. Jencks(1972), students from low-income families are far less likely
to enroll in and complete higher education compared to their wealthier peers. This educational
gap further entrenches the cycle of poverty, as lack of educational attainment limits future
opportunities. For example, in Nigeria, children from the poorest 20% of households are five
times less likely to complete primary school compared to those from the wealthiest 20% (World
Bank, 2019). The high costs of school fees, uniforms, and learning materials often force poor
families to make difficult choices, prioritizing immediate needs over long-term educational
investment.

Poverty also has a significant impact on the right to health. J. Sachs argues that poor health
outcomes including malnutrition and preventable diseases are both a cause and a consequence of
poverty. Young people in poverty often lack access to adequate nutrition, clean water, sanitation,
and healthcare services, undermining their physical and mental well-being. P. Farmer(2003), has
documented how poverty-driven social inequalities lead to disproportionately high rates of
disease and mortality among marginalized youth populations.

The right to participation in decision-making processes is another area where poverty poses
substantial barriers. R. Putnam(2000), has shown how socioeconomic status shapes civic
engagement, with youth from low-income backgrounds less likely to be involved in political
activities, community organizations, and other forms of collective action . This limits their ability
to voice their concerns and advocate for their rights for example in Uganda, a study found that
young people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be involved in community
organizations, to contact their local leaders, or to vote in elections (Persson, 2015). This
undermines their capacity to influence decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Poverty's impact on the right to protection is also well-documented. According to A. Lareau,

children from middle-class families benefit from concerted cultivation intensive parental
investment in their development and protection whereas working-class and poor families often
lack the resources to provide similar levels of support. As a result, youth in poverty face
heightened risks of exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Poverty increases the vulnerability of
African youth to exploitation, abuse, and violence. For instance, in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, children from poor families are more likely to be recruited into armed groups or
engage in hazardous forms of child labor, such as mining (Human Rights Watch, 2018). Weak
child protection systems in many African countries exacerbate these risks.

Furthermore, poverty undermines the right to an adequate standard of living and quality of life.
Economist J.K. Galbraith(1958) argued that poverty is not merely a lack of income, but a
deprivation of the conveniences and amenities that enable full participation in society. This
includes access to adequate housing, nutrition, clothing, and leisure activities all of which are
crucial for healthy youth development. Across Africa, poverty limits access to basic necessities
like adequate housing, clean water, and sanitation. In Kenya's informal settlements, youth often
live in overcrowded, poorly serviced slums, which compromises their health, safety, and overall
well-being (UN-Habitat, 2016). Poverty also restricts opportunities for leisure and recreation,
which are crucial for the holistic development of young people.

The right to information and the right to entertainment are also impacted by poverty. H.
Jenkins(2006) has described the participation gap in digital media, where youth from lower
socioeconomic backgrounds have less access to the technologies and skills necessary for
meaningful engagement with information and entertainment. This can limit their ability to access
knowledge, express themselves, and pursue recreational activities. In many African countries,
poverty restricts youth access to digital technologies and the internet, limiting their ability to
access information, express themselves, and engage in recreational activities. In Ghana, for
example, only 39% of individuals in the poorest income quintile use the internet, compared to
79% in the wealthiest quintile (ITU, 2019).

Finally, poverty can undermine the right to employment, as young people from low-income
backgrounds face greater barriers to accessing quality job opportunities and developing the
necessary skills and networks. Economist Gary Becker's work on human capital has shown how
poverty can constrain investments in education and training, hindering future employability and
earning potential (Becker, 1964). Youth unemployment rates in sub-Saharan Africa are among
the highest in the world, with poverty being a significant barrier. In South Africa, the
unemployment rate for young people from the poorest households is more than double the
national average (Statistics South Africa, 2021). Lack of education, skills, and connections often
traps young Africans in informal, low-paid, and insecure jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

However, there are various policy approaches and interventions that can help mitigate the
negative impacts of poverty on youth rights. A comprehensive, rights-based strategy should
include targeted poverty alleviation programs and social protection measures: Governments
should implement a range of social safety net programs, such as conditional cash transfers, child
grants, and unemployment benefits, to provide direct support to low-income families and ensure
a basic standard of living. These measures can help alleviate the immediate effects of poverty
and enable greater investment in children's well-being.

Ensuring access to quality, inclusive, and equitable education. Providing comprehensive

healthcare and reproductive health services, universal health coverage, coupled with targeted
outreach and subsidies for low-income populations can help ensure that all young people have
access to essential medical care, mental health support, and reproductive health services,
regardless of their socioeconomic status. Integrating these services with broader social protection
programs can further enhance their impact.

Governments and civil society organizations should create more opportunities for young people,
especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to actively participate in decision-making
processes that affect their lives. This includes supporting youth-led organizations, facilitating
civic engagement, and amplifying the voices of marginalized youth. To achieve sustainable
change, policymakers must also tackle the deeper, systemic drivers of poverty, such as unequal
access to economic resources, discrimination, and the legacy of historical injustices

Conclusion

Poverty is a formidable obstacle to the realization of youth rights in Africa and beyond. From
access to education and healthcare to participation in decision-making and employment
opportunities, the deprivations associated with poverty severely constrain the capabilities and life
chances of young people. However, this analysis also points to the potential for transformative
change. By adopting a comprehensive, rights-based approach that tackles the structural drivers of
poverty, policymakers and civil society actors can unlock new opportunities for young people to
thrive.
Reference List

Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference
to education. University of Chicago Press.

Farmer, P. (2003). Pathologies of power: Health, human rights, and the new war on the poor.
University of California Press.

Galbraith, J. K. (1958). The affluent society. Houghton Mifflin.

Jencks, C. (1972). Inequality: A reassessment of the effect of family and schooling in America.
Basic Books.

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture: Where old and new media collide. NYU Press.

Lareau, A. (2003). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life. University of California
Press.

Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard

University Press.

Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon
& Schuster.

Sachs, J. D. (2005). The end of poverty: Economic possibilities for our time. Penguin.

Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.