Practices and Challenges of Urban Youth Political Participation Since 1991: The Case of Youth Association in Injibara Town, Awi Administrative Zone, Amhara National Regional State
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Date
2020-08
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AAU
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the practices, challenges and opportunities of urban youth
political participation in Injibara town, Awi Administrative zone, Amhara National regional
state. To analyze these state of affairs, the researcher used mixed quantitative and qualitative
research approach. Both primary and secondary data sources were consulted. To attain the
necessary data, the study had employed the questionnaire survey and interview (semi-structured
in-depth) techniques. About 133 respondents participated through questionnaire in the study. Of
them 120 respondents filled the questionnaire completely. The respondents selected through
simple random sampling technique. 15 participants were interviewed and selected by using
purposive sampling method to get individuals who have official responsibility and special
knowledge about the concerned issue.
The collected data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods.
While the quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive data analysis methods by
using table, frequency and percentage and qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
The study had found that the interest as well as the participation of youth in formal political
activities is minimal as compared with those informal (protest) political activities. The study
revealed that the youths have various challenges that hinder in their political participation such
as, institutional and structural challenges, attitudinal challenges, and socio-economic
challenges, lack of political knowledge, fear of politics and political repression of the incumbent
government. Also, the findings showed that there were different opportunities created for the
youth to be engaged in political participation including the existence of social media and the
presence of multi-party system.
Further, the researcher recommends the government, political parties, pressure groups ,public
media, youths themselves and civic society organizations to entertain the issues of youth and
work with them to create conducive political environment to the youth as part of the decision
making process to build sustainable peace, security, development and democratic political
culture in a country
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Keywords
Youth, political participation, Challenges and opportunities