ITUC-Africa advocates youth digital empowerment

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation has championed the empowerment of youths with digital skills, to position them as key drivers of innovation and sustainable economic growth across the continent.

ITUC-Africa disclosed in a release celebrating this year’s International Youth Day 2024, themed: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, that it recognised the transformative power of digitalisation in shaping Africa’s future.

According to the organization, the transformation is more critical within the trade union movement, where young people are leading the charge of a transformative agenda.

 “Youth in Africa are not only responding to a rapidly changing environment, but they are also building a new landscape of change. Digital technologies are central to young people’s concerns about the present and aspirations for the future. Four out of five people aged 15 to 24 have access to at least one mobile phone in the continent.

“Yet the scope of action of digital technology goes beyond access to mobile telephony. Smartphones, applications, and plural devices such as tablets and personal computers are used globally by young people today, and Africa is no exception,” ITUC-Africa said.

 It noted that the digital revolution opens new engagement, advocacy, and empowerment avenues. “Youth are leveraging digital tools to amplify their voices, advance workers’ rights, and promote sustainable development. From mobilising support for fair labour practices to advocating for policy changes, digital platforms are becoming the new battlegrounds for social justice,” it added.

ITUC-Africa mentioned that digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen our collective power, enhance communication, and build solidarity across borders.

It stated that, with over 70 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals targets linked to digital innovation, the role of youth in harnessing those technologies is vital.

It emphasised that many young people across Africa still face significant barriers, including limited access to digital infrastructure, unequal opportunities for digital capacity and literacy, and the threat of digital exclusion.

“To truly realise the potential of digital pathways for sustainable development, we urge our governments to address these challenges head-on. Responding to these challenges means investing in digital education, expanding access to affordable and reliable internet, and creating policies and programmes that ensure digitalisation benefits all, especially the most vulnerable,” it stated.

The organisation urged the African trade union movement to continue embracing digital transformation to strengthen organisation, and advocacy (social media and digital footprint) and ensure that workers’ rights are protected through monitoring and reporting in the digital age.

It noted that youth must be at the forefront of this transformation, bringing new perspectives and innovative approaches to the continent’s challenges.

“By integrating digital tools into our strategies, we can enhance our ability to organise, communicate, and advocate, ensuring that the labour movement remains vital and relevant in the 21st century,” it asserted.

 ITUC-Africa reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people and supporting their role in the digital transformation of Africa’s trade union movement.