Representatives of children yesterday took politicians to task by demanding the inclusion of children’s issues in political party manifestos ahead of the September 16 General Election.
Speaking in Lilongwe yesterday during the launch of the National Children’s Manifesto, Speaker for Children’s Parliament in Machinga Bashir Williams said children are not only leaders of tomorrow, but also citizens of today, as such, need to be heard.
The National Children’s Manifesto is a document created by children from across the country, for children through an initiative led by the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare with support from Save the Children, NGO-Coalition on Child Rights World Vision and Plan International Malawi.
Williams, who spoke on behalf of other children, said there are many needs for children that require government’s attention such as ensuring that hospitals and schools are close enough to reduce the long distances that rural populations often walk to access such critical services.
He said: “We would like politicians to adopt the issues that are in our manifesto as shared with them today. Beyond that, we would also want the politicians to act on those concerns should they win and get into government.”
In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Halima Daud said she had taken note of the issues in the manifesto and will ensure that government acts on them.
Prior to the launch, there was a panel discussion by representatives of different political parties, including Malawi Congress Party, United Democratic Front, UTM Party, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Alliance for Democracy.
DPP secretary general Peter Mukhito said his party can be trusted to attend to the issues raised by the children because their manifesto already contains the issues.
The National Children’s Manifesto aims at providing children with an opportunity to advocate for their rights, well-being and protection.
