By Cathy Maulidi
President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged financial support towards the full implementation of the National Youth Policy, which he launched Tuesday.
He said this in Lilongwe during the launch of the policy, which runs from this year to 2028.
“As far as I am concerned, the central place of the youth in the realisation of Malawi 2063 vision cannot be overemphasised. This policy is a strategic framework to guide all youth development work in our country for the next five years, for my administration regards the youth as critical actors of social transformation and sustainable development,” Chakwera said.
He added that his government would soon form an inter-ministerial taskforce on youth to ensure that implementation of that policy is being done across all ministries.
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“The cross-cutting nature of youth development requires better coordination among all stakeholders, which is why I am happy to announce that I will soon be forming an inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Youth to ensure that the implementation of this National Youth Policy is being done across all ministries.
“I believe that the youth are powerful agents of change and I am committed to investing resources in their education, health and employment to ensure that they are not only economically and socially empowered but also protected from violence, abuse, discrimination and exploitation,” Chakwera said.
Meanwhile, Chairperson for the National Youth Network Yamikani Chiphazi has asked the government to consider the youth when offering employment opportunities.
“Your Excellency, I would be doing injustice to my fellow youths if I don’t talk about the issue of unemployment currently being experienced by the youth. According to the 2022-23 Labour Profile Market, 30 percent of the youth aged 15 to 24 are not in education, employment or training.
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“In addition, according to the 2014 School-to-Work Transition Study, only 29 percent of total graduates found stable employment. To sum it all, the 2022-23 Labour Profile Market acknowledges that around 130,000 young people are entering the labour market each year, but the formal sector delivers just approximately 30,000 jobs. It is a worrisome situation and calls for your administration’s attention,” Chiphazi said.
The policy— which seeks to empower youths to deal with social, cultural, economic and political challenges— was launched under the theme ‘Harnessing The Youth Potential towards The Realisation of Malawi 2063’.
