UNICEF in partnership with Malawi Government and development partners on Wednesday launched U-Report Malawi, a free mobile based tool for community participation designed to address issues which affect the youth.
The new service which is available for free on both Airtel and TNM includes regular opinion pools sent by SMS by texting the word “JOIN” to 1177.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Francis Kasaila described U-Report as a milestone for young people to have a say on different developmental activities being implemented by various partners.
He further said Malawi Government recognizes the important role young people play in development, saying with the growing population, children and young people are essential to the country’s development.
Kasaila then appealed to network service providers to make sure that there is unlimited network in rural areas if the use of U-Report is to be successful.
In her remarks, UNICEF Malawi Acting Representative Roisin de Burca said young people have the right to a voice on issues affecting them therefore U-Report Malawi will offer a platform which they can contribute using mobile technology.
“We have seen from other countries how U-Report can raise up the voice of young people and create change for children,” Burca said.
Burca added: “There is currently nothing like U-Report in Malawi. We hope it will be a big success and transform the way young people are consulted on important issues like ending child marriages and keeping children in school.”
UNICEF Malawi Champion for Children, award winning Hip Hop artist Fredokiss hailed the initiative saying it will help amplify young people’s voice.
Fredokiss also revealed that young people registered on U-Report platform will be getting a discount to all Fredokiss concerts.
U-Report was first launched in Uganda in 2011. Opinion polls and alerts are sent out to U-Reporters via SMS text messages and real time response information is collected.
Polling will be conducted on issues such as access to education, health services and safe water, ending child marriages, HIV/AIDS and violence against children.
All poll results will be made publicly available on U-Report Malawi website www.ureport.mw
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| Patrons at the launch of U- report |
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Francis Kasaila described U-Report as a milestone for young people to have a say on different developmental activities being implemented by various partners.
He further said Malawi Government recognizes the important role young people play in development, saying with the growing population, children and young people are essential to the country’s development.
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| Representatives of different organisation on stage at the U- report launch |
In her remarks, UNICEF Malawi Acting Representative Roisin de Burca said young people have the right to a voice on issues affecting them therefore U-Report Malawi will offer a platform which they can contribute using mobile technology.
“We have seen from other countries how U-Report can raise up the voice of young people and create change for children,” Burca said.
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| Unicef OIC Representative Roisin De Burca making remarks during U- Report Malawi launch in Lilongwe |
UNICEF Malawi Champion for Children, award winning Hip Hop artist Fredokiss hailed the initiative saying it will help amplify young people’s voice.
Fredokiss also revealed that young people registered on U-Report platform will be getting a discount to all Fredokiss concerts.
U-Report was first launched in Uganda in 2011. Opinion polls and alerts are sent out to U-Reporters via SMS text messages and real time response information is collected.
Polling will be conducted on issues such as access to education, health services and safe water, ending child marriages, HIV/AIDS and violence against children.
All poll results will be made publicly available on U-Report Malawi website www.ureport.mw
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