National News

JB makes pledges to youth, children

Banda receives a document containing 10 commitments
Banda receives a document containing 10 commitments

People’s Party (PP) presidential candidate in the May 20 Tripartite Elections Joyce Banda has committed to putting children and the youth at the centre of her administration once elected by involving them in the design and implementation of programmes that specially respond to their needs.

Banda made the remarks in Lilongwe yesterday when she became the 11th presidential candidate to sign a letter of 10 commitments advocated under the auspices of Malawi Human Rights Youth Network (MHRYN), Timveni Children and Youth Media and Unicef.

MHRYN engaged the candidates with a list of priorities they must address when elected, among them reduce newborn deaths, reduce malnutrition, increase classrooms for better primary education, reduce early marriages and create jobs and reduce youth unemployment.

Banda said she had individually advocated children and girls’ education and youth empowerment for several decades and being elected on May 20 would give her the opportunity to continue translating the programmes at a national scale.

“I have moved away from podium rhetoric to action on the ground. I regard the youth as leaders today and tomorrow. I want the youth to look at State House and know they have a partner,” she said.

Responding to a question from a young person on what her government would do to improve health services for children and the youth, Banda said her administration’s interventions in reducing child and maternal deaths have started bearing fruits.

“As we seek our own mandate, the PP government is focused on provision of comprehensive sexuality education that promotes abstinence, mutual faithfulness and condom use and uptake of family planning services amongst the youth,” she said.

On Friday, Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF) interacted with the youth and children during which he promised that management of resources would be key to delivery of services for the youth, especially health care.

Related Articles

Back to top button