By Myra Elias:
Two ministers, Jean Sendeza of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, and Uchizi Mkandawire of Youth and Sports, have reported what they call major progress in their respective ministries.
Sendeza said her ministry has established a legal framework and policies to support its five departments of Child Affairs, Gender Affairs, Elderly Affairs, Affairs of People with Disabilities and Social Welfare.
She added that social cash transfer programmes have improved living standards for the elderly and the vulnerable.
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To ensure inclusivity, she urged communities to keep district councils updated on the Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR) so all eligible individuals can be included in the programme.
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UBR is a centralised database that collects and manages information about individuals and households eligible for social protection programmes, especially those who are poor, vulnerable or at risk.
“The ministry has set up numerous community-based centres to prepare children for nursery school. Around 150 early childhood development centres have been built nationwide. Child marriage rates have also declined from 42 per cent in 2018 to 37.7 per cent in 2025,” Sendeza said.
She then praised the K1 billion allocation for building houses to support people with albinism.
Looking ahead to the September 16 elections, the minister encouraged more women to run for parliamentary and council positions, saying the government has created a supportive environment.
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Mkandawire reported that over 3,800 young people have started businesses and received vocational training.
He applauded the K4 billion allocated to help youth and women run businesses.
“This ministry plans to legislate the National Youth Service into a permanent initiative instead of a five-year project. This will ensure that youth continue contributing to national development and gain better access to higher education,” he said.
Mkandawire added that through the National Economic Empowerment Fund, loans have become more accessible to young people, supporting their innovation and creating jobs.
“We urge the private sector to offer internship programmes to help young people build their skills,” he said.
On sports, Mkandawire pointed to the success of Malawi women’s national football team players Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, currently playing abroad, as a sign of progress.
“The government is committed to promoting sports through infrastructure, including the construction of the Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex. This is just one of many developments,” he said.
