Today, Girls Activist Youth Organisation (GAYO) is proud to be part of the 2026–2027 Ministerial Pre-Budget Consultation at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. Hosted by the National Youth Council of Malawi under the theme “Youth Voices on the National Budget Architecture”, this high-level dialogue brings together youth leaders, policymakers, and civil society to shape the fiscal direction of our country. With Hon. Joseph Mathyola Mwanamvekha, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, as Guest of Honor, the consultation signals a powerful commitment to youth inclusion in national development.
For GAYO, participation in this dialogue is not just symbolic it is strategic. As a youth-led organization dedicated to advancing gender equity, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and inclusive education, we believe that the national budget must reflect the lived realities of adolescent girls and young women. Too often, their voices are sidelined in fiscal planning, yet they are disproportionately affected by gaps in education financing, health services, and economic opportunities. Today, we are here to change that narrative.
Our advocacy at this consultation focuses on three critical priorities:
Youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic resilience, empowerment, and sustainable development.
Gender-responsive education financing to tackle school dropout, promote disability inclusion, and ensure safe learning environments for all girls.
Comprehensive SRHR investment to expand access to youth-friendly services, menstrual health support, and HIV prevention programs.
We are engaging directly with policymakers to push for transparency, accountability, and equity in budget allocation. By centering girls’ voices, we are demanding a fiscal framework that empowers not excludes young people. This consultation is a reminder that youth are not passive beneficiaries of development; we are architects of Malawi’s future. And when girls speak, nations must listen.
As the dialogue continues, GAYO remains committed to amplifying unscripted youth voices and ensuring that the 2026–2027 budget is not only inclusive but transformative. Together with our peers, we are shaping a future where every girl has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and lead.
