By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, February 17, Mana - Ujamaa Pamodzi Africa (UPA) trained 76 children with albinism and other forms of disabilities in Machinga to self-defend themselves in cases of attacks and other forms of violence.

UPA trained the children and their parents at Ntaja in the district as part of a broader initiative to promote children's rights, particularly in preventing and responding to gender based violence following growing attacks on children with albinism in Machinga, according to UPA's District Coordinator, Bonex Chilunga.

“We recognize the need to empower children with albinism with self-defense skills to protect themselves from any form of violence,” he added.

He said UPA believe that it is also the responsibility of every parent and citizen to ensure that people with albinism are protected and treated with dignity and respect.

“We must give them equal opportunities to participate in various activities, such as politics, education and other social events," Chilunga added.

He therefore urged community members to report perpetrators that attack children with albinism to relevant authorities for the law to take its course, saying this would deter others from committing similar crimes.

Child Protection Worker, Jangiya Chimenya, from Kawinga area, commended UPA for training children with albinism on self-defense saying community members should also come in to further protect the children against any form of violence.

“The training has helped us advocate for the importance of treating every child equally," said Chimenya and noted that people with albinism were mostly excluded from various community activities due to stigma and discrimination.

“We thank partners for raising communities’ awareness on importance of reporting GBV cases to relevant authorities," he added.

Chimenya further expressed hope that the training by UPA will help to promote inclusion of children with albinism and other forms of disabilities into various community activities.

“This is a significant milestone, and we are grateful to UPA for organizing the training,” the Child Protection Worker, added.

A parent, Janet Manesi, from Kauma Village, Traditional Authority Kawinga, believed the training will have positive impact on protection of children with albinism against attacks and other forms of violence.

She also thanked UPA for empowering parents with knowledge and skills in caring, protecting children with albinism and other forms of disabilities against all forms of violence in their respective communities.

One of the trained children, Wema Usiku, said the training empowered her with self-defense skills and built her confidence to participate in school and community activities.

“The training was ideal. I have learned how to defend myself, and I will no longer be silent on issues of injustice against people with albinism," Usiku, a secondary school student added.

Machinga District Principal of Gender, Rita Sukasuka, said the district and its partners work tirelessly to sensitize communities as to how and where to report GBV.

“We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all children, regardless of their background or disability," Sukasuka said.

She added that the district will continue to work with UPA and other stakeholders to ensure that children with albinism and other forms of disabilities are protected and empowered to reach their full potential.

UPA is implementing a child protection project in Machinga to help 550 learners with special needs to access education while providing 100 children with albinism with protective skills   against violence in schools and in their homes.

Apart from Machinga, UPA is also implementing similar intervention in Mzimba, Kasungu, Dowa, Lilongwe, Ntcheu, Zomba and Blantyre.