Youth Aspirations and the Pursuit of Inclusion in Balochistan: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

This paper reflects the worldviews of 800 youth (controlled group) from the diverse areas and backgrounds of Balochistan and captures their notions of social inclusion and career paths. The study conducted was aimed to testify and validate the findings of the action research project titled, “Shared Destiny: Harmony and Growth in Culture and Career” granted by HEDP-GCF. The study tends to capture diverse areas that range from youth’s self-image, identity, diversity-inclusion, civic engagement, ideas of change and socio-economic entrepreneurship and the prospects of career planning. This paper focuses and analyzes the intersectionality of inclusion-acceptance to differences and career planning. With respect to socio-economic rights of disadvantaged groups including the traditional skilled laborer communities, musicians, artists, and transgender entities. The study unveils that 83% affirmed (strongly agree and agree are added) equal rights to the blacksmiths and potters, similarly, 78.9% respondents strongly affirm the equal social position and condition to the musicians and artists.  Another strata of the social minorities include washers/cleaners, barbers and tailors, 83.8% youth respondents affirm provision of equal rights, and 79.7% of youth assert that transgender persons should be provided with equal rights and entitlements.  These results point to a growing openness among young people to inclusion and equity for groups on the margins, however, class-based constraints and other structural factors remain. Additionally, 51.8 % of youth report satisfaction with their education or work and 60 per cent have plans for the future. Descriptive data analysis shows that multiple identities are significantly associated with greater wish for inclusion in the multicultural classrooms (correlation = 0.233) and with bigger dreams (correlation = 0.215). These findings suggest the importance of policies that address educational and occupational disparities and promote diversity. If the youth is empowered by the inclusive programmes, they would be able to realize their dreams, foster intercultural harmony and bring a social change in Balochistan.