Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation Media Programme

Until 2012, The Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation focused on using radio as its principal media outlet, broadcasting on Malawi national radio. A 30-minute programme focusing on children’s concerns airs once a week on national radio. In July 2012, the Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation was granted a television license, intended to help them to reach out to more children and youth in Malawi in promoting their rights, talents, life skills, and education. The project explores such issues as rape, abuse, and forced marriages and is committed to holding the government accountable for responding to crimes and ensuring the rights of its citizens are taken into consideration.

Timveni, which means "let it be heard", gives children a space to tell their personal stories. The shows are produced and presented by young people. Timveni is especially helping to give a voice to Malawi’s teenage girls, who still face challenges such as early and forced marriage, walking long distances to get safe water, and high drop-out rates from school due to poverty and abusive cultural practices. The work of the Timveni team is also being integrated into schools and youth organisations and has become a conduit for the views of children to be heard through a youth advisory council, which reports to the president.

The organisation has been training children/youth regarding their rights and responsibilities, with the goal of empowering the children with comprehensive knowledge about their rights so that they can be protected and protect others from all sorts of abuse. These trainings are designed to ensure that children/youth will be able to report different abuses happening in their communities, be able to act responsibly, and train their peers in their respective child rights clubs. Timveni has trained over 50 children and 50 youth, building their capacity in gathering, presenting, reporting, and producing television and radio programmes on issues affecting them, which are broadcast on the Timveni television station.

Young people can also stay in touch with the project and voice their opinions through the Timveni Facebook page.

To find out more, visit the Timveni website. 

Children, Rights

Over 54% of the population of Malawi are below 18 years old, and, according to Timveni,  their lack of a voice in matters of national importance means that a critical and large segment of society is excluded from the democratic and development process.