Empowering Youth and Children in Ethiopia: A Study of Socio-Economic Challenges Faced by Guji Youth and Children in the Oromia Region, Southern Ethiopia, and Their Policy Implications

This paper explores the socio-economic challenges faced by Guji youth and children in the Bule Hora district of the West Guji Zone in Southern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for key informant interviews and focus group discussions (FGD), focusing on individuals with insights into the socio-economic challenges of youth and children in the study area. According to the findings, the primary socio-economic challenges faced by Guji youth and children include unemployment, recurrent droughts, drug addiction, and lack of start-up capital. Currently, both governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are engaged in various development interventions, such as livelihood diversification, income-generating schemes, saving and credit associations, and a revolving fund for youth and children to address these socio-economic challenges. However, the study's findings indicate several obstacles to the effective implementation of these interventions. These include inadequate provision of the youth and children revolving fund, corruption, the widespread aspiration among youth and children to secure paid employment, and irregular funding from donor organizations. The study suggests that expanding livelihood diversification options and loan facilities are essential strategies to improve the socio-economic status of youth and children. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and development organizations, offering practical implications for addressing the socio-economic challenges of youth and children in future development interventions.