Every year, on July 11, the World Population Day is celebrated across the globe.
This year, in commemorations with the World Population Day, Institute for Social and Youth Development (ISYD) arranged a one day online 2nd Interactive Youth Forum 2020 with the generous support for Population Council and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on a theme of “Breaking Stereotypes and Advocating for Enforcement of SRHR & Family Planning” for the youth of Pakistan with the aim to spread awareness, building capacity and increase knowledge of younger generation about the sexual and reproductive health, family planning and safe abortion, not only through interactive discussion, but also via online theater performance and a virtual award distribution ceremony to motivate young activists and change makers.
Attended by hundreds of youths from throughout the country, the forum highlighted the transitioning history of SRHR, Family Planning, maternal and child health in Pakistan and compared the previous status with current situations of economic recession due to corona virus that results in increasing frustration between families that creates unfavorable conditions for women and newborns in particular.
Sarmad Muhammad Soomar moderated the discussion around the topic that went live on the Facebook from the official page of ISYD. The penal comprised of biggest influencers and activists of the country, including, Dr. Yasmeen Qazi from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Qudsia Uzma from World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Asif Wazir from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms Iram Kamran from Population Council and Ms. LaraibAbid from MASHAL.
To encourage youth participation and appreciate the ones who are following this path, ISYD presented “ISYD Youth Leadership Awards 2020” to the 12 promising youth activists across Pakistan who have been striving for youth participation and bringing the positive change in the society.
The activists included Owais Karim Kheraj, Sarmad Muhammad Soomar, Muhammad Arsalan, Hani Baloch, Sumbal Rana, Malik Mohsin, Naba Khan, Sara Saleem Valliani, Sonia Surani, Mirza Ammad Baig, Neha Khan, Nayyab Ali.
A video competition was also conducted and 3 winners got selected for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Position. A cash price was given to the winners of video competition. 1st Prize: Team WO KAHANI, 2nd Prize: Muhammad Abdullah Ijaz, Jennifer Wycliffe.
