Participation in the fifth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent provided an important platform for the Global Human Rights Centre to contribute to global discussions on the rights of people of African descent under the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
GHRC participated in Panel 3, “Youth of African Descent: Rights-holders and Agents of Change,” through an oral intervention delivered by Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike. The panel explored the structural barriers faced by youth of African descent, while also recognising their critical role as drivers of innovation, transformation, and social change.
In her intervention, Dr Umezulike highlighted that youth of African descent are not only inheritors of systemic inequality but also active engines of resilience and change. She drew attention to the compounded vulnerabilities experienced in rural communities, particularly for women in agrifood systems, who continue to face limited access to land, credit, markets, and decision-making spaces, alongside the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. These inequalities, she noted, are often reproduced across generations, reinforcing cycles of exclusion
GHRC continues to emphasise that it has chosen not to be a bystander to these structural injustices, but to actively work with affected communities in advancing practical, rights-based solutions. Through initiatives such as the Chisomeje Rural Women Rising Project, GHRC showcased the transformative potential of youth and women when equipped with the necessary tools and support. The project integrates clean energy solutions, including solar-powered technologies for food processing, storage, and production, thereby improving productivity, strengthening food security, and enabling economic autonomy.
The intervention also reinforced the importance of investing in youth leadership, improving access to quality education and decent work, as well as addressing the structural inequalities that continue to marginalise young people of African descent globally.
GHRC’s participation in the Forum reflects its continued commitment to promoting human rights, racial justice, youth leadership, and inclusive development, while ensuring that the voices and experiences of people of African descent remain central to international policymaking and advocacy efforts.