As per the 2005 National Statistical Bureau Report, 100 percent of the youth migrate looking for employment and better education facilities. A case study conducted by a youth support group also came to the same conclusion.
The case study was based on 23 youth migrants living in Thimphu. Of the total 17 were female and 6 males between the age group of 12-23 years. Of the total, 13 of them migrated from eastern Bhutan while few from other pockets of the country.
“We found out that most of them have migrated to pursue their education, looking for better health facilities, job opportunities, better lifestyle and living standards among other reasons which includes the transfer of their parents,” said Kinzang Chogyel Lhamo, a student of Motithang HSS and also a member of the group.
As Bhutan marked the International Youth Day today, relevant stakeholders came together to address the issue. This year the theme is “youth migration: moving development forward”.
According the case study while looking for opportunities, youth were found to be facing lots of challenges, which includes unfriendly people and exploitation among others. “Financial problem, discrimination, lack of guidance from their guardians, peer pressure, sexual exploitation, emotional and psychological trauma, harassment while travelling is seen as some of common struggles the youth face while migrating,” said Ugyen Dema, a student of Kelki HSS and also a member of the group.
The group also presented the recommendations passed on by the youth migrants in order to stop rural-urban migration. Construction of recreational facilities in rural areas, creating better educational facilities and providing subsidies on transportation and accommodation while travelling were some of the recommendations passed to help youth migrants.
“In our study some of the recommendations passed are like building hostel in urban areas like in Thimphu where they don’t have to stay with their guardians, providing subsidised transportation fees and providing educational loans to students with financial problems,” said Jeevanath Lamichaney, also a member of the group.
During the presentation participants talked about the plans and policies to tackle young migrants. Meanwhile, the Education Minister, Mingbo Dukpa, spoke about the plans and pledges that the government has for the youth including education loans and to let students repeat in 10th and 12th grades.
