New policy to empower young people

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has today launched the 2023-2028 National Youth Policy in Lilongwe, with an emphasis on the need to incorporate more young people in leadership and governance roles.

Addressing the media in Lilongwe ahead of the launch, Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, highlighted that the previous 2013 Policy lacked youth participation in its execution.

The new policy also includes critical issues such as climate change, the Malawi 2063 vision, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mkandawire said: “Youth inclusion in leadership and governance structures was noticeably absent in the previous policy. The participation of youth in politics was ambiguously defined.”

He added that in the current Parliament, only a handful of youth members are present. He hopes that this policy will amplify the issue so that by 2025, more young people go to Parliament and get into governance structures.”

The policy launch coincides with the United Nations Day celebrations in Malawi.

UN Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh noted that this occasion provides an opportunity for stakeholders to celebrate youth resilience and explore ways to make them equal partners in development.

She said: “Statistically Malawians below the age of 35 constitute about 80 percent of the country’s population. So, this is an opportunity to look at the youth at different levels, in leadership, innovation, how can we support and strengthen their capacities.”

The policy is launched under the theme: ‘Harnessing the youth potential towards the realization of Malawi 2063.’

The Government of Malawi through the Cabinet, approved the revised National Youth Policy (2023-2028) on 19th July, 2023. The approved revised policy supersedes the 2013 National Youth Policy.

According to the Ministry, the new policy has ten priority or website

The launch of the policy has been organized with the primary objectives of raising awareness, facilitating dialogue, and mobilizing support and commitment for the successful implementation of the policy from all stakeholders.

President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to presided over the launch at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).