Palestinian youth (ages 15-29) represent 30% of the total population in the occupied Palestinian territory. Young women and men face significant difficulties and obstacles, including high rates of unemployment, poor living conditions, and heightened insecurity stemming from the Israeli occupation. In the Gaza Strip, the problem is even more challenging as economic activity is severely restricted and where youth unemployment has exceeded 60% in recent years.
The youth labour market is exceedingly influenced by gender, where the employment rate for young women is significantly lower than that for young men. Youth, particularly young women, require focused interventions to create sustainable economic opportunities. Given the limited amount of job opportunities within the public and private sectors, youth entrepreneurship has become a major form of economic growth, particularly in the form of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Livelihoods
Save the Children and our partners provide support to youth-led agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood projects, as well as small and medium enterprises in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank. As part of this initiative, Save the Children occupied Palestinian territory has increased its focus on piloting and supporting green jobs and business projects. At the same time, Save the Children works with stakeholders to invest in youth capabilities and decision making by launching youth parliament programming to ensure that youth’s voices are consulted and taking into account in the development of economic policies and job creation initiatives.
Food security
Over the past few years, Save the Children in the occupied Palestinian territory has expanded the provision of e-food vouchers and cash assistance to vulnerable and conflict affected families, while investing in the capabilities of these same families to improve their livelihoods options and in seeking opportunities to meet their basic needs.