By Memory Khutuliwa

Blantyre, July 17, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) joins the rest of the world to commemorate world albinism day in Rumphi on 31 July to raise awareness on the need to protect persons with albinism during the election period.

According to the press release signed by Dr. Nertha Semphere Mgala, states that this day was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on December, 18, 2014 with the aim of creating awareness on albinism.

Malawi will commemorate the day under the theme ‘United to empower and protect persons with albinism during the period of elections’.

According to the press release, the global theme is; ‘10 years of International Albinism Awareness Day: a decade of collective progress’.

In the press release, Dr. Mgala stated that the local theme is aimed at advocating for national unity in safeguarding the right of the life of persons with albinism by creating a safe and secure period of elections.

“Statistics shows that most of the reported albinism related cases of attacks in Malawi have occurred during times of elections. The theme, therefore calls national unity and collaboration among stakeholders during 2025 tripartite elections,” read the press release.

According the press release, the local theme further calls for an inclusive electoral process that gives equal opportunity to persons with albinism to participate in the elections as voters and contest as candidates

APAM National Coordinator, Maynard Zakaria said every year Malawi holds Albinism Awareness Day on June 13 and this year the commemoration is set to take place on 31 July.

“We failed to commemorate it on June 13 because we were in the mourning period of the Vice President and eight others. We therefore shifted the date to July 31 at Rumphi stadium,” said Zakaria.

Zakaria explained that the First lady of the Republic of Malawi, Monica Chakwera is the proposed guest of honour at the commemoration in Rumphi.

“It is important to commemorate this day because it raises awareness on issues that affects persons with albinism so the nation should take right decisions and actions in responding positively on issues that affect persons with albinism,” he said.

He added that some of the activities on the commemoration day include media training on proper reporting on issues to do with albinism, which will be held in Mzuzu and speeches.

“The attacks on persons with albinism and other related crimes have dropped but as a country it is important to continue doing campaigns to make sure that we don’t go back to the situation we had,” Zakaria added.

Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare therefore urged individuals and organizations to continue promoting and protecting rights of persons with albinism in the country.