By Wilfred Golden
Parliamentarians from Euroupean countries who are in this country have expressed satisfaction with youth involvement on issues of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
Cosmih Poteras a Romanian Member of Parliament said it is very much impressing to see that youths in this country are making strides in issues of mindset change as they are trying to find solutions to creating more initiatives but there is need for more support to help them reach far.
“The young we meet today they are really smart, motivated as well as engaged and I believe they can do the difference.
“When we retain back home I think we should create events that increases awareness in our countries and this may read to some help provided of some organization that are really doing a great job. We discussed about funding and funding is essential in what they are doing they need the funds to provide training services and awareness to people, so that’s what we are going to do when we get back home,” Poteras said.
On his part, Executive Director at Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM), Donald Makwakwa said the engagement of the visiting team with the youths was very important as the country is looking for more youths to take lead in many aspects.
“As an organization we have been working with young people and we listen to them and this engagement has given as an opportunity to exprole more on how best we can engage young people to address there particular needs, like from the discussion we had this afternoon there are quite a number of things we can take and we will take it from there as an organization on how best we can be engaging with Youth Wave as well as other youth lead organizations to advance there rights as young people,” he higlihted.
Executive Director at Youth Wave, a youth lead organization, John Nyirenda feels honored by the deligates but he was quick to react that funding system in this country is not youth friendly and this is affecting most of youth lead organizations as they only operate through self initiative.
He pleaded for a delibarate move from those organizations working with youth to have intention funding that increase young people in there programming by channeling some of there funding percentages to youth lead organizations, that can increase equitable partnership for development.
The one week study tour has been organized and funded by FPAM and it expects to reach more areas.