OHCHR and youth

About youth and human rights

Youth is a period of transition from dependence to independence and autonomy. The transition occurs at different times in relation to different rights, and depends on the socioeconomic context, among other things.

Young people face discrimination and obstacles to the enjoyment of their rights by virtue of their age, limiting their potential. The human rights of youth therefore refer to the full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms by young people. Promoting these rights means addressing the specific challenges and barriers faced.

Read more about the human rights of youth

OHCHR’s work on youth

Youth represents a growing agenda within OHCHR, as the Office strives to make human rights more relevant and more useful to young people and systematically engage with youth throughout its work.

In addition to Human Rights Council mandates on youth rights, OHCHR is implementing two projects on youth and human rights:

• A partnership with Education Above All on working with and for youth in vulnerable situations, including conflict, violence, and insecurity.
• A project  that focuses on working for rights with and for young people.

In addition, the 5th phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2025-2029), focuses on youth, including children as priority sectors, human rights and digital technologies, the environment and climate change, and gender equality.