Redbridge has elected its new Members of Youth Parliament, and we have ambitious plans to tackle the issues affecting young people in the borough.
I will be serving as a Member of Youth Parliament alongside Inaaya Ijaz, with Hannah Husain as Deputy MYP.
My campaign focuses on three main areas. I am dedicated to fighting youth poverty by promoting emergency grants for essential items, ending lunch debt shaming in schools, and making all youth activities free with no hidden costs.
I am also determined to address discrimination, especially gender discrimination and women’s rights.
I want to combat misogyny in schools and society, push for effective equality education that challenges prejudice, and create safe reporting systems with real consequences.
I aim to ensure that young women’s voices are heard and protected.
My third priority is to strengthen youth voices by creating forums where young people can talk directly with those in power and track which recommendations are acted on.
Hannah Husain brings her own priorities to the role.
She wants to make sure more young people have access to basic needs to combat child poverty in Redbridge.
Additionally, she aims to help girls from diverse backgrounds gain the skills, mentors, and opportunities needed to pursue any career path they choose.
Hannah also plans to increase political literacy, equipping young people with the tools to understand important decisions and take an active role in their community.
Inaaya Ijaz’s manifesto focuses on important safety and achievement issues.
She plans to address knife crime by partnering with organisations to raise awareness and empower youth voices in the discussion.
Inaaya is also launching the NextGen Awards to recognise students’ achievements in leadership, creativity, and other areas.
Furthermore, she wants to support students academically by offering revision help through the Redbridge Youth Council.
Together, we have identified priorities that cover poverty, education, safety, equality, and youth engagement - areas that significantly impact young people in Redbridge.
Our manifestos reflect the concerns raised during our campaigns and discussions with peers.
We will start working on our manifesto points soon, beginning with research and consultation with young people.
We are committed to turning our campaign promises into real action.
Redbridge’s young people have chosen representatives they believe will fight for real change.
- Shakirah Ahmed is a Member of the Youth Parliament for Redbridge.
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