THE MOTIVATION BEHIND PASSION FOR ADVOCACY WORK ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH RIGHTS

  My passion for children and youth rights activism is ignited by the social realities that have shaped my life. I have experienced, heard and discussed poverty throughout my life, especially in relation to how it affects the livelihoods of young people in Malawi who sadly constitute about 75% of Population. Born some 27 years ago in Blantyre, South of Malawi, I grew up believing that a woman is as able as any person and that like any male counterpart I CAN do anything possible.  I stood up against all the social quagmires to pursue my education and hitherto I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development obtained in 2019 at Pentecostal Life University.  I have also had the privilege of attending a number of human rights courses at regional level, of which one was on human rights but with a special focus on the protection of women’s rights which took place in 2016 at the Police Research Centre of the Police Academy in Cairo, Egypt. It is as a result of trainings of this nature that I became so inclined to, and generated a strong interest in issues revolving around rights of children and young people. Pushed by the zeal to better influence issues regarding the rights of children and the youth issues at policy level,  I competed for public office as Member of Parliament for Zomba Ntonya, east of Malawi during the 2019 tripartite election. My motivation was over 45 thousand young people aged 35 years and below in the area who represent over 75% of the area’s population. I saw that despite their numbers they were least considered when it comes development; Schools were in dilapidated stages, business opportunities were only given to politically connected older people, their sexual and reproductive health rights being suppressed  It was a very stiff competition as I had to face 15 men. Though I did not make to the House of Assembly, I was number two and the majority of the votes I secured came from my fellow youth.  Young people stood for me throughout my campaign and I felt challenged to find another avenue for serving them. The campaign experience cemented my passion the more and compelled me to  found YICO  a youth not for profit organization to promote effective participation of young people in  the sustainable development of Malawi. YICO was founded to serve as a vehicle through which the potential contribution of children and young people will be driven across all sectors. YICO’s operations  revolve around  four thematic areas namely; •    Sexual and reproductive health rights- to respond to rapid over  population growth and the pressure it is exerting on development and particularly livelihoods of young people •    Environment and  climate change – knowing the fast pace at which the environment is being depleted,  and the potential  effect the depletion has to the livelihood of the people •    Education  and ; •    Economic empowerment I used my professional experience and sound interpersonal skill to  put together a multi-talented and multi-disciplinary board of directors headed  by Ms. Fanny Mthunzi, the executive director for the Malawi Universities Development Programme to provide direction and oversight of YICO. Going Forward, Aim not relenting in my cause of advocating for the rights of children and young for I have a firm belief in them as the future human capital for my country Malawi and the world at large. I am geared to contribute in any way possible to see the welfare of children and young people improved.