By Burnett Munthali
The Youth and Society (YAS) organization has raised concerns that youth issues in Malawi are not receiving the attention they deserve due to youth leadership positions being occupied by individuals who do not fall within the youth age bracket. This, according to YAS, is one of the key factors limiting meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making processes.
Speaking in Lilongwe during a consultation workshop on the development of the 2025-2030 National Youth Manifesto, YAS Programmes Coordinator for Human Rights and Civil Society Strengthening, Mwandida Theu, emphasized that the lack of a clear understanding of who qualifies as a youth has significantly hindered youth engagement. She noted that many leadership positions meant for young people are often taken by older individuals, making it difficult for youth to have direct representation and influence on matters affecting them.
Theu stressed the importance of ensuring that youth leadership roles are occupied by actual young people, stating, “If we want to see meaningful youth participation, we must first define who a youth is and ensure that those in youth positions truly represent the demographic they claim to serve.”
The issue of youth representation was further highlighted by Primacy Consulting Managing Director, Ernest Thindwa, who presented findings from an evaluation of the 2019-2024 Youth Manifesto. According to Thindwa, out of the five major political parties in Malawi, only one has a youth director who falls within the appropriate age bracket as per the current youth definition. This, he argued, demonstrates a lack of commitment by political parties to genuinely empower young people.
Thindwa pointed out that political parties often use youth structures as a front, while real decision-making power remains in the hands of older individuals. He urged parties to take deliberate steps to involve young people in leadership, not just as foot soldiers but as decision-makers.
Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of Youth, Baba Steven Malondera, acknowledged that many young people have distanced themselves from active politics, leaving leadership positions open for older individuals. However, he challenged Malawian youth to reclaim their space in political and governance structures.
“The truth is that youth have chosen to stay away from active politics, but it is time they step up and take what rightfully belongs to them. If they do not participate, others will continue making decisions on their behalf,” Malondera said.
The ongoing consultations for the 2025-2030 National Youth Manifesto are aimed at identifying key areas of concern for young people and proposing strategies to enhance their involvement in national development. YAS and other stakeholders are advocating for clear policies that ensure youth leadership positions are held by individuals who genuinely represent the youth population.
As the conversation on youth participation continues, it remains crucial for young people to demand their space in leadership, while political parties and institutions must be held accountable for ensuring true youth representation in decision-making processes.
