FPNN Community Reporter Esenam Amuzu has a conversation with Yotam Ngwira, the executive director of the organization Youth Empowerment Towards Development (YETOD) in Malawi while at the ninth African Population Conference (APC).

Yotam talks about transformative projects headed by youth-led organizations like his, including the GALS (Gender Action Learning System) Project, which equips adolescent girls and young women with the skills and knowledge they need to uplift themselves in life. Projects like these have momentous impact. And, they are run by young people, fully capable of leading initiatives that bring about lasting change.

Nothing For Us Without Us

Esenam and Yotam agree, no organization—big or small, across all sectors—should take actions affecting young people in any way without including young people throughout the decision making and implementation processes.

If other groups don't think youth-led organizations have the capacity to be in the driver’s seat, then they should give them the capacity. "Give us the resources. Train us. Mentor us," Yotam says.

Timestamps of Key Moments:

• 1:13 - QUESTION: Can you tell us more about the GALS (Gender Action Learning System) Project for the empowerment of adolescent girls and women that your organization works on?

• 3:23 - QUESTION: What is your opinion on why we should be engaging more youth-led organizations at community levels and policy levels?

Watch the full conversation between Esenam and Yotam below!