Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Rida Naz Khan
1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I work with Social Empowerment through Education and Knowledge (SEEK) Pakistan; a non-governmental, non-political, and development-oriented formal registered organisation based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
SEEK was established in 2020 by a group of young motivated and passionate university and college students to undertake the activities of community development, especially for the youth, marginalised, and vulnerable sections of society. In 2020, SEEK initiated a program in partnership with the district youth and sports office Torghar to provide vocational and life skills to local youth and engage the youth in different sports and cultural activities.
SEEK trained 45 young male, female, and transgenders for post-crash response with the collaboration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue Service 1122 Mansehra. SEEK is currently working with Traffic Police Mansehra to raise awareness about road safety laws and, the importance of driver’s licenses, helmets, and seatbelts.
2. Can you tell us about your area's road safety and sustainable mobility situation?
The road safety and sustainable mobility situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently in a bad state. According to the annual report of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue Service, 27,132 road crashes were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan in 2022 alone.
In general, road safety is a major concern in Pakistan due to the high traffic volume, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. The country also faces challenges in terms of sustainable mobility, such as a lack of public transportation options and a reliance on private vehicles. These issues can contribute to air pollution and traffic congestion.
3. Why should youth be involved in road safety?
It is important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts for several reasons:
Young people are disproportionately affected by road crashes: According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29.
Young people can be effective advocates for road safety: Because they are most affected by road crashes, young people can be powerful voices in calling for improved road safety measures and in raising awareness about the issue.
Young people can be agents of change: By educating and engaging young people in road safety efforts, they can be empowered to take actions that improve road safety in their communities. For example, young people can lead campaigns to promote helmet use, encourage safe driving behaviors, and advocate for better road infrastructure.
Young people are the future: By including them in road safety efforts, we can foster a generation of safe road users and help create a safer future for everyone. Additionally, involving young people in road safety efforts can also help to build a culture of road safety in the community. This is important because road safety is not only a technical issue but also a social one.
4. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety?
As we came to know the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety as a global network of young people working together to promote road safety, we found it as a way for our young group and organisation to connect with other youth-led groups working on road safety issues. It is also a great opportunity to access resources and support and have a platform to advocate for road safety and a safe system approach at the global level.
5. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
The Youth Coalition aims to increase the participation of young people in road safety efforts and to empower them to take action to improve road safety in their communities. The Youth Coalition provides opportunities for youth-led organizations to connect and collaborate, share knowledge and resources, and advocate for road safety at the global level.
Some of the activities that we know about :
Capacity-building workshops and training for young road safety leaders
Global Road Safety Week campaigns and events
Advocacy and policy work on road safety issues
Networking and collaboration opportunities with other youth-led organizations and road safety stakeholders
Access to resources and support for youth-led road safety initiatives