The Malawi government has launched a four-year National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare.

For the past four years, the Southern African country has experienced barbaric attacks, including killing of persons with albinism, a development which has attracted intervention of international bodies such as the United Nations.
During the launch of the Action Plan which took place in the northern border district of Karonga on Saturday, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Jean Kalilani, said the plan focuses on all aspects of life including education, health, protection and human rights.

She said the National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism has been developed to guide the efforts to address challenges persons with albinism are facing.

“Time has come now for us to show the world the peaceful Malawi that we are where all people regardless of skin color and abilities coexist; where all people with all types of disabilities, and specifically those with albinism are respected and have equal opportunities in life,” she said.

She also said by inaugurating the Action Plan, the country was fulfilling objectives of the Constitution, particularly Section 13, which requires for development and adoption of specific policies and laws to actively promote the welfare and development of the people.

The Plan will be implemented through civic education and awareness raising, administration of justice and support of victims of attack, and safety and security of persons with albinism among others.

The implementation of the Plan for the next four years is estimated to cost 4.2 million US dollars, according to the minister.

UN Women Country Resident Representative, Clara Anyangwe, has since commended the government for the Action Plan saying it will complement UN’s existing support on raising awareness, strengthening community-based protection systems, providing direct support to persons with albinism and strengthening the justice sector response.

“The purpose of the Action Plan will only succeed when there shall no longer be any attacks on persons with albinism and when all perpetrators face the long arm of the law,” said Anyangwe, adding: “when people with albinism no longer live in fear, and when they hold decision making positions — only then shall we say we have won the battle”.

Since 2014, Malawi has recorded 150 cases of attacks against persons with albinism and at least 20 people, including women and children, have been brutally killed for their body parts on speculations that they are ideal for wealth creation.

Only 45 of these cases have been successfully prosecuted with results of conviction or acquittal while the rest are either still under investigation or in court.