Caribbean Youth Summit 2023 

The Caribbean Youth Summit of 2023 was described as a life-changing event. At this event, the topics of youth violence, people living with HIV, exclusion of women and girls, causes of mental health issues related to gender-based violence, and other marginalized groups were discussed. 

This summit has been a long time going and the education and increased awareness were beneficial to all that attended. Here are some of the topics that were addressed:  

Youth Violence in the Caribbean 

One of the issues discussed was the Caribbean and Latin America are among the most violent regions worldwide. There are homicides in youths and young adults, especially pressing public health problems. There's still not much research on how homicide and health problems relate to these statistics. 

There was an ecological study with estimated homicide rates of adults from 2010 to 2016. With this study, they found that the homicide rate per 100,000 aged 15 to 24 was 76.9% in males and 6.7% in females. The ranges and ages vary but are all higher-than-normal rates. And they seem to be even higher in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Panama. 

Exclusion of Women and Girls 

Women who are considered to be disadvantaged need to be represented with equal participation in planning counsels and decision-making. Marginalized girls and women across Asia and the Pacific are at risk of being left behind, especially during pandemic recovery. Women and girls need a louder voice and more participation in making decisions. 

Future Care for the Youth of the Caribbean 

Research only briefly touched on these critical topics. Youth violence, people living with HIV, exclusion of women and girls, causes of mental health issues related to gender-based violence, and other marginalized groups are something that will continue to need research and much support from communities. 

With these continued efforts and summits addressing the young people of the islands, awareness and education are moving toward change. 

CITED: www.today.caricom.org, www.youth.gov, asiapacific.unwomen.org