UNICEF has amplified calls for Malawi Parliament to set aside time on every sitting to deliberate on children issues.

UNICEF Malawi Deputy Representative Tedla Damte made the sentiments during the recently held orientation of Parliamentarians in the capital, Lilongwe.

Speaking to the media, Damte appealed to the leadership of Malawi Parliament to implement a motion that was passed by the last cohort of Parliamentarians.

“As you may be aware, Honorable Members, about 51 percent of the Malawi population is under the age of 18. At the current population growth rate, the overall population in Malawi is projected to reach 30 million by 2030, with the number of children almost doubling to 16.2 million. Regrettably, 60.5 percent of children live in poverty,” Damte said.

He added, “It is important to note, however, that Malawi’s youthful population presents an opportunity because the gains achieved through better nutrition, health, education and protection have long lasting impacts, to children, communities and the entire nation, leading to sustainable growth and development. All this makes a strong case for the Government of Malawi to improve investments in children.”

Commenting on the orientation of Parliamentarians, Damte conveyed a special message from the UNICEF Representative Rudolf Schwenk who was currently out of Malawi.

Damte said Schwenk requested him to congratulate the members of Parliament for a fruitful orientation program and expressed UNICEF’s commitment to work for children together with Government of Malawi.

In her remarks, Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara commented on UNICEF’s call to set aside time to discuss children issues saying it was up to the members of Parliament.

“Parliament is a democratic institution. It is something that has to be brought before the house, the members can agree or disagree. Whatever they are going to agree it is my role as Speaker of Parliament to follow the resolutions they have done.

“If they say we have decided to dedicate a day to discuss children issues, then it my duty and the duty of my Secretariat to facilitate that,” Gotani Hara said.

She added, “It is up to the parliamentarians to look at the lobby that UNICEF has done.

“The role of drafting a law and the budget is in the hands of the government and members of Parliament. I am a presiding officer, I cannot bring a law or draft a budget.”