THE YOUTH IN COMMUNITY WORK

The revised National Youth Policy defines Youth as all persons from the age of 10 to 35
years regardless of their sex, race, education, culture, religion, economic, marital and
physical status (NYP 2023)

YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP

It is common knowledge that youths are energetic, strong, industrious, innovative and
healthy and constitute a significant proportion of the country’s population.

To ensure that issues affecting the youths and other target groups are adequately
addressed, it is imperative that the youth themselves do not only actively participate in
the key decision making processes but that they are also given leadership roles.

This would ensure that the decisions made and programmes designed are reflective of
the needs of the youth as seen from the perspective of the youth themselves. (ibid)

Empirical evidence shows that there is still limited engagement and inclusion of the
youth in national, district, and community-level decision-making processes, as well as
programming on matters that have either a direct or an indirect bearing on their lives.

For instance, Government is currently following a district-focus approach to

development where the Village Development Committees (VDCs) Area Development
Committees (ADCs) and District Executive Committees (DECs) are key and yet the
youth are not members of these structures.

When one looks at District Development Plans (DDPs) it is noted that youth issues are
usually not featured prominently and hence are not included among the priorities of the
districts.

As a consequence, most policies and strategies are youth blind and further marginalise
the role of the youth in national development.

There are several factors that hinder meaningful youth participation in community
development. Some the factors are as follows

1. Lack of Education and Skills

Many Malawian youth lack access to quality education and skills training, making
it difficult for them to contribute effectively to community development.

Poverty, early marriage, and other societal pressures force many young people
to drop out of school or delay their education, limiting their opportunities for
upward mobility and community engagement.
 Formal and non-formal education should not only focus on the attainment of
knowledge and academic qualifications but also enhance values and social skills
which make the youth to be productive and responsible citizens.

However, the existing education system does not adequately prepare the youth
for life after education

2. Discrimination and Inequality:

Discrimination and inequality based on factors such as gender, ethnicity,
disability, and socioeconomic status continue to be significant barriers to youth
participation in Malawi.

For instance, girls are often excluded from education and community activities
due to cultural norms that prioritize boys' education.

Disabled youth and those from marginalized ethnic groups also face significant
obstacles.

3. Lack of Political Will and Representation:

Youth in Malawi often lack political representation and are not prioritized in
decision-making processes.

This lack of political will and representation makes it difficult for young people to
advocate for their rights and contribute to community development.

4. High Unemployment Rates:

Malawi has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, with over
70% of young people neither in employment nor in education or training.

This makes it challenging for them to participate in community development

initiatives.

Credit facilities, entrepreneurial culture and access to means of production by the

youth are still inadequate and unaffordable in Malawi despite the presence of
institutions such as National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) and Small
and Medium Enterprise Development Institute (SMEDI).

While skills and entrepreneurial training opportunities are expanding, this is not
fast enough to absorb the growing numbers of secondary graduates and
dropouts.

Access to affordable finance, business and credit facilities is still hard for the
majority of youth.

5. Social Norms and Cultural Practices:

 Traditional social norms and cultural practices continue to pose a significant
challenge to youth participation in Malawi. For instance, early marriage, gender-
based violence, and other harmful practices limit the opportunities and agency of
young people, particularly girls.

6. HIV/AIDS:
Malawi has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, and the
disease continues to be a significant challenge to youth development.

HIV/AIDS-related stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to treatment and

care can limit young people's opportunities for education, employment, and
community engagement.

MYTHS ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY

Myths are stories that are passed down through generations, shaping the beliefs,
values, and behaviors of various communities. In Malawi, there are many myths about
the youth

1: Youth do not work hard

Youth are too often perceived as difficult people who lack reliability and drive.

This belief stems from the perception that young people spend their time
loitering, gossiping, and engaging in leisure activities rather than contributing
to their families or communities.

2: Youth are Disrespectful and Impudent

Another common myth about Malawian youth is that they are disrespectful and
impudent.

This is often attributed to their supposed lack of upbringing or exposure to traditional

values. Young people are said to challenge authority figures, speak disrespectfully, and
engage in behaviors that are contrary to cultural norms.

3: Youth are Sexually Promiscuous

Malawian youth are often stereotyped as being sexually promiscuous.

This myth is fueled by the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies and sexually
transmitted infections.
Additionally, the belief that young people are more likely to engage in premarital sex
and extramarital affairs contributes to this myth.

4: Youth do not have the ability to lead

Youth activists, such as Vanessa Nakate and Greta Thunberg, are proving to
the world that youth are leaders with transformational ideas and profound
passion. These role models, encouraged by peer-to-peer mentorship, can
motivate other youth to lead.

Youth are critical change agents around gender equality in their communities.

Youth are more likely to challenge restrictive and unequitable gender norms,
change discriminatory beliefs and adopt new behaviors that value all gender
identities.

Youth are today’s change makers.

5. Youth are Prone to Crime and Delinquency

Malawian youth are also believed to be more prone to crime and delinquency than other
age groups.

This myth can be attributed to several factors, including poverty, lack of education, and
the influence of negative peer groups.

Young people are often portrayed as being involved in criminal activities such as theft,
drug use, and gang violence.

TOOLS FOR COMMUNITY YOUTH ASSESSMENT

1. Surveys and Questionnaires

These are the most common tools used for community youth assessments.
Surveys can be administered online or in-person and can gather data on various
aspects of youth well-being.
There are several pre-existing youth surveys that can be adapted for use in
Malawi, such as the Global School-based Health Survey, the Youth Risk
Behavior Survey, and the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey.
2. Focus Group Discussions:
Focus group discussions can provide rich qualitative data on the experiences,
perceptions, and attitudes of youth towards various issues.
 These discussions can be facilitated by a trained moderator and can be used to
explore topics that may not be easily captured through surveys, such as social
norms, community values, and cultural practices.

3. Key Informant Interviews:

Key informant interviews can provide valuable insights into the context and
environment in which youth live and grow.
These interviews can be conducted with community leaders, teachers, health
workers, and other stakeholders who have a deep understanding of the youth
population and their needs.

4. Observation and Document Review:

Observation and document review can provide important contextual information
about the community and its youth. This can include observing youth in their
natural environments, such as schools or community centers, and reviewing
relevant documents, such as policy reports, academic papers, and community
plans.

The choice of tools and approaches will depend on the specific goals and resources of
the assessment.

It may be helpful to work with local partners and organizations to ensure that the
assessment is culturally appropriate and sustainable.