Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, has urged young people in Malawi to actively engage in politics and governance instead of being used to perpetrate violence before, during and after elections.
Hara observed that politicians have long used the youth for wrong reasons, thereby inculcating in them a culture of lawlessness and bad behavior.
She made the sentiments during the Youth Summit for Democracy and Human Rights in Lilongwe on Wednesday. The summit was organized by Youth and Society (YAS), which also marked the launch of the National Youth Manifesto 2025–2030.
Hara emphasized the need for young people to contest for leadership positions and drive positive change, noting growing frustrations among youth who feel sidelined by the country’s democratic systems.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda assured young people that the government is creating a conducive environment for their full participation in national development and decision-making.
Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, who attended the summit, committed to addressing delays in the delivery of justice another critical concern raised by the youth.
“We will make sure that the growing concerns raised by youths are addressed accordingly,” he said.
In her remarks, Youth Decide Coordinator Mwandida Theu underscored the importance of the newly launched manifesto, saying it captures the real aspirations and solutions proposed by young people across Malawi.
“Young people are losing trust in the system, yet they have the potential to bring about real change if they are meaningfully included in national decisions,” she Theu.
Statistics show that over 60 percent of Malawi’s population is made up of young people, underlining the need to empower them through leadership opportunities and inclusive policy-making.
The National Youth Manifesto 2025–2030, developed through nationwide consultations, is set to guide youth development efforts over the next five years.