People with albinism in Machinga want protection

People with albinism in Machinga have asked government and non-governmental organisations to ensure that they are protected from those with evil intentions.

These remarks were made on Friday in Liwonde where Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) Zomba Diocese held a workshop aimed at enabling people with albinism in the district to understand their rights to healthcare and justice.

The meeting also deliberated on the challenges parents with children with albinism face in raising them.

Taking her turn, one of the parents, Mariam Makiyi from Chabwera Village in Traditional Authority Sitola, highlighted some of the safety measures they have to undertake to ensure the safety of their children both at school and home.

She said: “We still live in fear for the safety of our children when they are at school or home. When some ill-minded people know that there are people with albinism in the community, fear grips us.”

In his remarks, a representative of the traditional leaders, Baduya Yobu, said they will continue holding sensitisation meetings with the communities on the rights of people with albinism.

Zomba CCJP diocesan director Raphael Yusuf said they chose Machinga to implement the one-year project because it has registered many cases of violence against people with albinism in the country. n