Panel Discussion at Breakthrough’s Pan-Asian Virtual Summit – Reframe: Envisioning a World Without GBV
At Sky Social, we believe that empowering young people is crucial to building a gender-equal and violence-free world. As part of this commitment, we hosted a panel discussion titled "Strengthening Youth for a Gender Equal World" at Breakthrough’s Pan-Asian Virtual Summit – Reframe, which explored innovative strategies to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and foster youth leadership.
The Power of Youth Leadership in Policy Change
Our panel brought together dynamic voices dedicated to strengthening youth agency and building pathways for their involvement in policy advocacy and community action. Moderated by Srishti Pragat, Founder of Sky Social, the panel included:
Together, they explored how young changemakers can become active participants in decision-making processes that influence gender equality policies and initiatives.
Key Themes & Insights
Our session focused on equipping young people with tools, skills, and insights to address GBV through innovative strategies and policy engagement. Key takeaways included:
The panel underscored the need to actively involve youth in policy formulation and advocacy. By integrating youth perspectives into decision-making spaces, more inclusive and sustainable solutions can emerge, particularly in preventing GBV at the grassroots level.
Building the leadership capacities of youth was a central theme. The discussion highlighted the importance of enhancing communication skills, critical thinking, and emotional resilience to empower young people as community leaders and role models.
The panel stressed the need for SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) education to address stigma and misinformation. Empowering youth with accurate knowledge enables them to advocate for safer environments and gender justice.
Recognizing the importance of inclusive approaches, the discussion emphasized creating safe spaces for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community and youth from vulnerable backgrounds, ensuring no one is excluded from conversations on gender equality.
The panel highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships — engaging government bodies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and youth networks — to create impactful interventions and strengthen policy outcomes.
Given the rising cases of cyber harassment and digital violence, the discussion stressed the need to educate youth on safe online practices, digital privacy, and reporting mechanisms.
Creating Pathways for Change
Through this panel, Sky Social reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying youth voices in shaping policies that address GBV and promote gender equality. By equipping young people with knowledge, leadership skills, and advocacy tools, we aim to nurture a generation of changemakers who challenge norms, dismantle discrimination, and build a world free from violence and inequality.
