Tag Archives: YPU

Lifestyle, Malawi, Opinion, Politics, Top News

YPU calls for youth quota in political parties

Admin

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost) – The Young Politician Union of Malawi (YPU) this week emphasised the need for the country’s political parties to establish quota components for young people in their constitutions.

The idea aims at incorporating young people’s ideas for effective contribution towards political dispensation ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The call comes amid the lack of proper youth wing structures in all the country’s political parties’ constitution where young people’s agendas are not firstly prioritized.

In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post upon arrival from this year’s African Union governance architecture conference that was held in Arusha, Tanzania, Clement Makuwa, YPU’s President, highlighted that it was disheartening to observe that young people are not genuinely participating in political development, particularly in SADC countries like Malawi.

Makuwa disclosed that the conference spelt out with critical areas that need to be considered, including political parties’ agenda for young people, full participation of youth in politics, and political parties call to have quota components in their constitution for young people.

The youth union leader said that Eastern African countries are advancing youth agendas in political parties’ constitution, which is not the same case in SADC states.

He added that most young in the SADC region, particularly in Malawi, are not interested in developmental politics after their needs are not met by political parties once they are in power.

Makuwa therefore, appealed for introduction of quota components in malawian parties’ constitutions, in which youth agendas will be embraced at all times.

“It’s sad that most young people who happen to constitute large percent of African’s states, Malawi inclusive, have shunned developmental politics after political parties in power fail to meet their needs. This is sad for the future democracy.

“Malawi has young people who have the potential and are ready to invigorate development, but due to frustration coupled with unemployment levels, they don’t take part in politics.

“Therefore, as the nation approaches the 2019 elections, we urge political parties to embrace full young people participation in the constitution that their agendas are fulfilled,” Makuwa said.

YPU of Malawi has been instrumental in electoral processes by mobilising young people to participate democratic politics through attainment of critical positions in the society including ward councillors, Members of Parliament (MPs) among others.

Malawi’s population is youthful, which contributes to 70%, but young people are not involvement in meaningful economic activities including agriculture through greenbelt initiative, entrepreneurship which are the ingredients for the country’s economic growth.

Politics

‘Youths ignorant about politics in Malawi,’ says YPU Chief Makuwa

Maravi Post correspondent
Makuwa
Makuwa

National Director of Young Politician Union (YPU) in Malawi Clement Makuwa has said that lack of commitment, proper activities and suitable environment and means to engage the youths in good governance by government is a major setback to government development adding that 71% of youths in Malawi are ignorant about politics.

In an interview with Maravi Post, Makuwa said that the Malawi Youth Status report of 2015 released by United Nation, UNICEF, UNFPA and government said that the population of the youths has increase to 70%  meaning that the youths are in Majority in the country but they are not empowered in the sectors of development.

“I would like to mention here that in as much as YPU leadership would like to get more youth to participate in government process, government intervention remain a big problem in the Science of government,” he said.

“As the country’s political system; we are not growing in implementation of National Youth Policies among other factors due to low funds. Low funding contribute to failure in implementing activities like that of voter and civic education,” he stated.

Makuwa then asked government and well-wishers to come in and help youth programs ranging from health, education, agriculture and many few others to develop Malawi.

Makuwa however encouraged young people across the country not to give up but rather go ahead and fully use the available resources in building a better Malawi.

He also stressed on the need for people with physical disabilities to believe in themselves and step forward to contest as councilors, members of parliament and even president in the next polls, instead of just kneeling down to worship leaders if the country/s economy is to progress.

“I want to call on my colleagues that gone are the days when society used to look down on us, lately various platforms have been created for us so that we fully take part in different activities at community and even national level,” said Makuwa.

Commenting on the same issue, Editor for NKhoma FM, Maxwell Kachele recommended efforts made by CSOs, and called upon those who have ambition to serve their people to step forward and share their vision with the nation.