Empowerment is not just a hashtag...

There is always a storm in the soul of youth — not a storm that destroys, but one that clears the sky. A wild and necessary force that sweeps away the dust from the windows of a world grown too comfortable with silence. Around the globe, young people are breaking barriers. Their voices are loud, their ideas are fresh and their determination is unshakable.
We often refer to youth as “future leaders.” It sounds visionary and inspiring, doesn’t it? But here is what we miss: young people are not waiting to lead; they are already leading. They are not confined to theory, but they are living its consequences. They are not reading history, but they are writing it, right now.
It is time to drop the slogans and speak the truth. Recognising the potential of youth is not enough as they need real empowerment which must be active, intentional and inclusive. Empowerment is not merely inviting youth to the table; it is letting them redesign it. It is not offering a seat at the table, or a one-off workshop, or a catchy campaign slogan.
True empowerment means giving youth the microphone not just the questions. It means funding their ideas not just retweeting their speeches. Empowerment is more than encouragement; it is giving access to quality education, meaningful opportunities, essential resources and influential platforms. It means cultivating environments where young people can lead, make decisions and fully participate in society.
Empowerment is no longer a gift handed down from a podium; it is a promise fulfilled through action. It is about building systems where youth voices are not only heard, but respected; where their ideas don’t merely echo, but evolve.
To empower youth is to break economic barriers, so they can launch businesses — not just search for jobs. It means including them in leadership — not just in hashtags. And it is not the responsibility of governments alone. Empowering youth is a shared responsibility to be shouldered by educators, families, communities, the private sector and civil society.
Adults must become partners working to dismantle systemic barriers and uplift youth-led initiatives. Mentorship, inclusion and genuine collaboration are essential as well. When young people are trusted and equipped to lead, they do not disappoint.
Observing the International Youth Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a call to action — a moment to listen to the thunder in young voices. It is a mirror that asks us: What have we done with the dreams they trusted us with?
Every year on August 12, the world pauses to recognise the energy, creativity and potential of youth. But beyond celebration, this day marks a reminder of the critical role young people play in shaping our shared future and the responsibility we all bear in empowering them to do so.
This year’s theme, “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World', underscores a critical truth: the climate clock is ticking, and it is youth who will turn it back. They are not waiting for change — they are creating it. They are planting it, coding it, designing it and demanding it. In both villages and cities, young people are learning how to turn waste into energy, farm sustainably and innovate in harmony with the Earth.
But if we truly want a sustainable planet, we must invest in sustainable skills and empower youth at every level. So let the world not only applaud young people, but stand beside them. Fund their innovations, share seats at decision-making tables, and welcome their challenges and leadership. The world is not theirs someday; it is theirs now.
To all young people: You are not just seeds of change. You are the storm, the soil and the sunlight. You are not the “hope for tomorrow”, you are the answer to today. Hence, keep dreaming, keep disrupting and demanding more.

The writer is , an author, columnist, creative writer, translator and a communications professional