GirlZOffMute— Should Malawi lower the voting age from 18? Teens say, 'yes.'

DW (English)

With Malawi’s elections just around the corner on September 16, one hot question is making rounds: Should the voting age be lowered? Teens say yes — they want 16- and 17-year-olds to have a voice in shaping their country’s future. Critics argue that teens aren’t mature enough to make informed choices, but youth activists counter that civic education can prepare everyone — no matter their age.

Transcript

00:00Should Malawi lower the voting age?

00:03Right now you can only vote at 18, but some young people say they're already way before that.

00:12Joining me are some brilliant girls with bold opinions from Tingate Youth Organization.

00:17Do you think the voting age should be lowered?

00:20I think the voting age should not be lowered because of our national constitution law

00:24that a person should start voting above 18.

00:27How about you, Fungai?

00:28My opinion is someone can be voting at the age of 17

00:33because a person who is 17 years old nowadays is old enough to make some life decisions

00:38and some are even planting or some are working, so it's okay to be voting at the age of 17.

00:46I know you're below 18, but if you were allowed to vote, what type of leader would you choose?

00:52A strong-minded leader who would give off strong statements to the world.

00:57How about you, Fungai?

00:59To me, I can choose a leader who is open.

01:02As a country, we need transparent and accountancy.

01:05So we need someone who can be telling us how the money is being used as a country.

01:10We don't need leaders who can use our money for their own benefits.

01:14How about you, leader?

01:15As for me, I would choose a leader who knows what the youth wants,

01:19like promoting job opportunities to the youth and also promoting businesses to the youth.

01:27Wow, so many strong views.

01:30Whether the voting age changes or not, one thing's clear.

01:34Girls are ready to think, speak and live.

01:37What do you think? Should the voting age stay the same or change?

01:42Let's now hear from a youth rights advocate to explain what goes into voter eligibility and how changes can be made.

01:50Do you think the voting age should be lowered?

01:52First of all, we should consider a lot of things.

01:56One, we know that Malawi is a youthful population.

02:00So in as far as articulating or addressing challenges which youths are facing,

02:05it means we have to prioritize youths into decision-making spaces.

02:10And youths have to be given much power or to be empowered enough

02:14so that they can be part and parcel of the decision-making processes.

02:19What is the basis for setting the voting age at 18 in Malawi?

02:26In accordance with our constitution, when a person has reached the age of 18,

02:32he or she is regarded to be mature enough in terms of making independence decisions and also responsibilities.

02:39Could lowering the voting age increase youth participation?

02:44Lowering the voting age could indeed increase youth participation.

02:49More than 50% of our population are the youths themselves.

02:53So if we can lower the voting age,

02:56it means a lot of youths will be able to take part in decision-making

03:01in as far as electing the readers or the democratic processes is concerned.

03:06We've heard the arguments, the dreams, and even the doubts.

03:10Whether the voting age changes or not, one thing's for sure.

03:14Malawi's girls are already shaping their future with their voices.

03:17The question is, will the law give them the ballot too much?

03:23I'm Kwa Chaka Mayani for Girls Off Mute in Lilongwe, Malawi.

03:27Bye for now.

03:28I'm Kwa Chaka Mayani for Girls Off Mute in Lilongwe, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi, Malawi.

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