The general public has been urged to join
efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities,
including persons with albinism.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and
Social Welfare, Mary Thom Navicha, made the call on Tuesday, November 3, 2026,
during the launch of the 2026 Disability Rights Awareness Month at Lilongwe
Girls Secondary School.
Navicha said Malawi has registered several
achievements in promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities over the
past year, including allocating K2 billion to the Disability Trust Fund to help
beneficiaries acquire assistive devices and participate in various economic
activities.
"As you are aware, the government has increased the allocation to the Disability Trust Fund to K2 billion, an unprecedented amount. This demonstrates the government's strong commitment to improving the welfare and protection of persons with disabilities, including persons with albinism,” said Navicha.
She also cited the inclusion of persons with
disabilities in the Social Cash Transfer Programme as another milestone.
Part of the audience during the lanch
However, the minister acknowledged that persons with disabilities continue to face numerous challenges, which she said require collective efforts from government, service providers and the general public to address.
She said her ministry would undertake various
awareness activities throughout the month to sensitize the public on the
importance of respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, including
those with albinism.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the
Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA), Simon Munde, called
on service providers to ensure that persons with disabilities receive adequate
support and are included in initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience
against climate change.
Munde said persons with disabilities should
not be left behind in efforts to address the effects of climate change.
The Disability Rights Awareness Month runs
from November 3 to December 3, 2026.
Malawi will hold its national commemoration
of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2026, in
Thyolo District.
