Ministry of Youth and Sports has shared the revised National Youth Policy (2023–2028) to youth network leaders in Mchinji, with officials urging the youth to seize their role in driving Malawi’s development agenda.
The dissemination, supported by Save the Children under the ‘Tikwaniritse Ndikuteteza Maufulu a Ana’ (TIKUMA) project, aimed to raise awareness and promote ownership of the policy among young people and local stakeholders.
Secretary in the Ministry, Isaac Katopola, said the policy aligns with the aspirations of Malawi 2063 and was revised to provide clarity, coordination and a sharper focus on youth empowerment.
“If the youth do not take a leading role, then we will not develop as a country. That is why we revised the 1996 policy to reflect the changing times and give clear direction. Now we must make sure it is deeply understood even at the district level,” said Katopola.
Mchinji District Commissioner, Lucia Chidalengwa, said that youth issues are now being prioritised in district development planning, thanks to Malawi 2063 and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1).
“In the past, District Development Plans (DDPs) used to ignore youth-specific issues. But under Malawi 2063, we are now mainstreaming youth empowerment in development planning. Popularising the revised policy is key to making sure these issues remain visible and actionable,” said Chidalengwa.
Representing local youths, Gladys Zulu from Tepela Youth Network under Traditional Authority Zulu, commended the government and Save the Children for the engagement.
“As youths, we need to be proactive. This policy is empowering us, and there is a lot we can do to develop our country. We will take the responsibility to share and promote it among fellow young people,” she said.
By Vincent Khonje, MANA
