Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, says vices that hinder the growth and development of the youths in the country must be addressed.
Mrs Nalumango has cited teenage pregnancies, alcohol and other substance abuse as some of the vices that are hindering youths from effectively participating in national development.
She notes that alcohol and substance abuse has become a major threat to young people and stresses that their lives have been destroyed as a result of them engaging in substance abuse.
Mrs Nalumango said this when she officiated at this year’s national youth day commemorations held at the Lusaka showgrounds under the theme “Voices Amplified and innovations ignited”.
The Vice President said the future of Zambia rests in the hands of young people hence the call to protect them from vices that compromises their productivity.
“The future of our country rests in the hands of the youth, and it is imperative that we address challenges that impede their growth and development.
“Teenage pregnancies, alcohol and substance abuse, have become a major threat to our young population, destroying lives and compromising national productivity,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Vice President has called for intensified awareness on mental health issues.
Mrs Nalumango said issues surrounding mental health are on the rise in the country and bemoaned that individuals affected by mental health are being stigmatised due to lack of awareness.
The Vice President said time has come to amplify voices on mental health and promote awareness while stressing the need to come up with solutions and strategies to combat mental health challenges.
“Similarly, mental health issues are on the rise, yet the affected individuals remain stigmatised and overlooked. It is, therefore, time to amplify the voices of the young people. We need to promote awareness, and ignite innovation that offers solutions to these challenges,” she said.
And Mrs Nalumango has also called for the creation of platforms that will allow young people to express themselves and drive the much needed positive change.
“Therefore, the theme for this year’s national youth day, “voices amplified and innovations ignited,” speaks to the need to give our young people a platform to express themselves and drive the much-needed positive change,” the Vice President said.
She encouraged youths to take advantage of this year’s national youth day theme to openly discuss issues concerning mental health.
Mrs Nalumango said stigma can only be addressed once individuals speak and discuss openly about mental health.
She further hinted that this year’s theme also highlights the importance of creating an enabling environment that fosters unity, inclusivity, and innovation among the youth.
Mrs Nalumango said young people are the driving force behind change.
She said when voices of young people are heard, communities grow stronger adding that when ideas of young people are nurtured they can be transformed.
“Young people are the driving force behind change. When their voices are heard, communities grow stronger. When their ideas are nurtured the country is transformed,” she said.
