Gen Z urges incoming govt to prioritise good governance, end corruption, create jobs

KATHMANDU: As vote counting for the March 5 House of Representatives election enters its final stage, young people across Nepal are urging the incoming government to prioritise good governance, end corruption and create jobs.

Young people belonging to the Gen Z generation expect the new administration to carry out systematic reforms and deliver digital public services, transparent governance and balanced development. Many believe that several young lawmakers elected to the HoR could push the government to adopt youth-focused policies.

Twenty-five-year-old Madan Karki, who was injured during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 last year, said the incoming government must take youth concerns seriously. After casting his vote in the recent election, he said he participated in the electoral process with hope that the new leadership would bring positive and meaningful changes. He emphasised that the 10-point agreement inked between the interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and the groups involved in the Gen Z movement should be implemented. He stressed, "An environment should be created where Nepalis could live safely and with dignity in their own country. Good governance must be ensured and corruption should end. Also, the new government should take action against those responsible for the incidents that occurred during the protests."

Twenty-year-old Liza Adhikari, who also sustained injuries during the protest and is still undergoing treatment in hospital, spoke from her hospital bed and expressed hope that the new government would seriously address the demands raised by young protesters. She called upon the incoming government to fulfil the major demands of the Gen Z movement — ending corruption, ensuring transparency and maintaining good governance. "We believe that the demands raised through the movement will be fulfilled. Along with good governance, the incoming government should pay attention to creating jobs within the country," she said.

For 22-year-old Sujata Karki, originally from Ramechhap district but currently residing in Kathmandu, the Gen Z movement sparked a new interest in politics among young people. She suggested the incoming government should arrange part-time employment opportunities for youth and prioritise development of infrastructure in remote and disadvantaged areas. "Before, I was not really interested in politics. But I have started giving attention to political activities after the Gen Z movement. There should be adequate employment opportunities within the country. There should be a situation in which Nepalis travelling abroad do so for tourism rather than for employment," she said.

Twenty-three-year-old Bishal Budhathoki from Dolakha said the upcoming government should accelerate policy reforms and infrastructure development that older parties were unable to achieve, and should prioritise eliminating development imbalances between villages and cities. "There is development in the city, but that level of development is not found in the village," he said. Budhathoki, who plans to go abroad for higher studies, expects an environment will be created in the country for doing business after returning home.

Binay Dhungana, 27, from Kathmandu, urged the government to focus on digital governance and a production-oriented economy. He said, "The vote swing in this election is more due to disappointment that the old leaders did nothing rather than the belief that the new ones will do a lot. There is an expectation that government services will become efficient and convenient. There is a belief that the need to offer bribes or money for routine work will come to an end."

Kiran Budhathoki, 24, from Dolakha, recalled that people voted for change and said development work will become effective only after the upcoming government focuses on system development. "The party we want is poised to form the government. Now it seems the government the people desire will come. The government should work on tourism, hydroelectricity and agriculture as areas with great potential. The party's election manifesto must be implemented," he said.

Nineteen-year-old Salina Rai from Khotang said ending the necessity for young people to go abroad for employment should be the main responsibility of the next government. "Many young people from my family and village have gone abroad for employment. We are in uncertainty as there is no reliable employment in our own country. I believe the next government will create jobs," she added.

(With inputs from RSS)