NGO launches youth campaign

Mzuzu-based non-governmental organisation, Youth and Society (YAS), has launched a national youth campaign, YouthDecide 2019, to mobilise and deepen youth voice and action in setting and advancing a youth development agenda ahead of the 2019 Tripartite Elections.

The campaign, according to its concept note, is founded on the premise that the outcome of 2019 elections will be decided by the youth of Malawi in the 18-35 years age bracket.

YAS observes that young people continue to face challenges such as unemployment, under-employment and new infections of HIV/Aids, which are worsened by lack of access to economic opportunities.

“This status quo is negating the notion of demographic dividend. Youths continue to be deprived the right to meaningful political participation. Alongside women, persons with disability, women and other perceived marginalised people do not have presence in political and governance structures,” it argues.

The institution, thus, believes the 2019 elections are crucial as they present ordinary citizens, who are in majority such as youths and women, with their constitutional right to entrust their political power with official power-holders of their choice in a competitive election.

Meanwhile, political commentator Emily Mkamanga has welcomed the idea, urging YAS to concentrate more on youths that are strongly affiliated to political parties.

“They must sell the idea to all youths in the country, going even to rural areas. In these meetings, they must emphasise qualities of good leaders and how to hold them accountable. Youths must be told to look beyond a handout, they must think about the future.

“Then you have youths that are so glued to political parties, these must be made a priority. It is very shameful that you find a youth painted in party colours, but nobody asks how such things affect our children, so the campaign must target them strongly,” she suggested. n