Dear Readers,
September 1, 2025, marks the final stage of engagement between the electorate and those aspiring to be elected. It is a critical time when Malawians must decide their destiny for the next five years. We are all anxious to see the outcomes of the 16 September 2025 election and who will steer the ship in the coming term. The humble advice is “Do not promise the voter the moon, as it exposes your ingenuity”. One thing that politicians should clearly outline is how they intend to tackle corruption and enhance social and economic development. Poverty has persisted in Malawi, and food insecurity is growing; we need to manage this. Political parties must have a clear strategy for turning around the ailing economy.
The Africa Climate Summit 2 will convene in Addis Ababa from 8 to 10 September 2025 to address solutions for managing climate change-induced challenges. Climate change has created numerous obstacles, pushing health systems off balance. As a nation, we need to reflect on the extreme weather conditions, floods, and related issues. It is essential to consider how these challenges are being managed. The engagement of young people in climate change movements is paramount; however, we also need to explore how to enhance their effective participation. Over the years, we have witnessed superficial engagement from young people. Those involved in these initiatives often occupy these spaces primarily due to their connections. The urban poor youth are facing the most severe effects of climate change, yet they receive little attention. One wonders if we are genuinely serious about planning for the future. Young people in schools are taught about climate change mainly to pass exams, with limited skills to actively participate in reducing its impact. It is high time we re-focused our efforts to ensure that young people can engage meaningfully.
September 8, 2025, is World Literacy Day, and as a nation, it is time to reflect on literacy issues and initiatives. The theme of the day, “Literacy and Sustainable Societies,” highlights the crucial role of literacy in building peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable societies, as well as promoting human rights, empowerment, and a balanced digital transition. However, engagement in literacy initiatives in Malawi has been limited, indicating a need for increased investment in literacy programmes. We should also reconsider the use of social media as a tool for literacy learning.
Schools are opening this September 2025, and parents need to prepare their children effectively. Our children require support emotionally, socially, financially, and physically. Many children face mental health issues that go unrecognized at an early stage. We should pay attention when our children are reluctant or non-enthusiastic about returning to school. There could be various reasons for this, including the treatment they receive from their teachers. Teachers are also encouraged to monitor the children when they return to school, as there may be underlying depression and anxiety stemming from experiences such as the death or prolonged illness of parents or siblings, as well as Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
As teachers and parents, we must help our children navigate these mental health issues. Teachers and parents should befriend our children and support them. Children with mental health issues often lack peace of mind, which can lead to a decline in their performance.
While there is a growing concern over corporal punishment in schools, the Malawi government has abolished it. However, media reports indicate that it is still being administered in educational institutions. It is high time this issue is revisited and managed, and stakeholders need to organize themselves to combat this vice. We are not advocating for a lack of discipline for children; rather, we urge that they be disciplined with dignity using non-violent methods.
We would like to conclude the September 2025 conversation by focusing on the future of our children through child rights and responsibilities. We have observed that, over time, children’s engagement with their rights has been limited to the children’s parliament, raising the question of whether all children can become child parliamentarians. We need to seriously reflect on our approaches to children’s rights and how we can help children understand their rights and responsibilities. The Children’s Rights Resources Book (Children’s Rights Centre) highlights the crucial need for children to comprehend their rights before understanding their responsibilities. We must refocus our energies on creating widespread awareness, promoting the protection of children’s rights, and practicing these rights.
Child rights engagement requires comprehensive management of children and ensuring that both children and all stakeholders understand their rights. In fact, the premise of activities in the children’s sector should be driven by the fundamental principles of survival, development, protection and inclusion. Therefore, children need to learn about their rights and responsibilities from their homes, schools, and communities. The children’s rights movement is ultimately a community responsibility aimed at advancing children’s rights.
Wishing you a successful September 2025
