Only 1.9 per cent of lawmakers are aged below 30, and 14.2 per cent below 40, and 26 per cent under 45, shows an Inter-parliamentary Union presentation made on Tuesday.
The presentation was made based on the IPU study titled ‘Youth participation in national parliaments 2016’ as part of the five-day 136 IPU Assembly being held in Dhaka.
In all age groups, the figures fall far short of their corresponding share in the population. People aged 20-44 make up 57 per cent of the world’s voters, according to IPU.
New president of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU Osoru Maureen blamed ‘dirty politics’ and ‘lies in making lofty promises and non-fulfilment of pledges from politicians’ as factors holding back youth from politics.
IPU programme officer on youth Zeina Hilal blamed “senior politicians’ unwillingness to quit power and lack of political will” for the dismal condition of youth participation in parliaments.
National parliaments and political parties should create strategies targeting inclusion of MPs in their 20s and 30s, as these age groups are currently the most underrepresented, she said.
Click here to read the full article published by New Age Bangladesh on 5 April 2017.
Only 1.9 per cent of lawmakers are aged below 30, and 14.2 per cent below 40, and 26 per cent under 45, shows an Inter-parliamentary Union presentation made on Tuesday.
The presentation was made based on the IPU study titled ‘Youth participation in national parliaments 2016’ as part of the five-day 136 IPU Assembly being held in Dhaka.
In all age groups, the figures fall far short of their corresponding share in the population. People aged 20-44 make up 57 per cent of the world’s voters, according to IPU.
New president of the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU Osoru Maureen blamed ‘dirty politics’ and ‘lies in making lofty promises and non-fulfilment of pledges from politicians’ as factors holding back youth from politics.
IPU programme officer on youth Zeina Hilal blamed “senior politicians’ unwillingness to quit power and lack of political will” for the dismal condition of youth participation in parliaments.
National parliaments and political parties should create strategies targeting inclusion of MPs in their 20s and 30s, as these age groups are currently the most underrepresented, she said.
Click here to read the full article published by New Age Bangladesh on 5 April 2017.