By Edwin Mauluka
Malawi’s Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, has issued a stern warning to perpetrators of violence against persons with albinism, declaring they will “rot in jail” once caught. She delivered the warning in Parliament on Wednesday while presenting a statement marking the National Observance of Disability Rights Awareness Month.
“Once we catch you, it is over for you! We will make sure that you don’t exit the doors of jail,” Navicha said.
She assured the nation that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration under President Peter Mutharika is committed to ending attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism.
Navicha said the government has put in place several mechanisms to combat the crimes. Her ministry is currently leading a review of the National Action Plan on Persons with Albinism (2018–2022) to create a strengthened framework for protection and promotion of their human rights.
To curb ongoing grave tampering, she urged authorities at all levels to ensure burial sites of persons with albinism are sealed with concrete.
Addressing the House, the minister said the month-long observance aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, noting that the commemoration, introduced in 2015, creates opportunities for awareness and action on disability rights.
“This month-long observance acts as a precursor to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December,” she said.
Navicha emphasized that the commemoration is one of the tools used to challenge deep-rooted negative stereotypes toward persons with disabilities.
This year’s global theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress,” calls for equity, social justice, and inclusive institutions to support sustainable development.
The minister stressed the urgent need for disability-friendly infrastructure, describing many public facilities as barriers that continue to exclude people with disabilities.
She said the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) is enforcing Section 28 of the Persons with Disability Act of 2024, which guarantees persons with disabilities the right to access and use public buildings, facilities, and services. Building owners have until 15 April 2029 to ensure compliance.
Navicha also reminded local authorities, especially physical planning departments, that it is illegal under the Act to approve construction of public buildings that do not meet universal design standards.
“We continue to see inaccessible public infrastructure being erected in our councils, towns, and cities. We need to make existing facilities accessible and ensure all new buildings fully accommodate persons with disabilities,” she said.
She further urged Members of Parliament to allocate a portion of the Constituency Development Fund to initiatives specifically benefiting persons with disabilities, arguing that such affirmative actions can deliver immediate impact.
Fellow legislators praised the government for the steps being taken.
Dowa East MP Richard Chimwendo Banda called on the ministry to ensure that students with albinism are given extra time during examinations due to vision challenges.
