Phalombe people with albinism still living in fear

People with albinism (PWA) in Phalombe District have raised concerns over continued threats they experience despite calls for their protection and punitive measures laid out against those who attack them.

They made these remarks during a Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) sensitisation meeting held in Senior Chief Kaduya in the district last week.

Testimonies made at the meeting revealed that PWA are still being hunted night and day.

“Last month, some people came to my place for two consecutive nights attempting to break the door. When I told my relatives, they suggested I leave the house and start sleeping in my sister’s house,” said Lonny Manuel from Nyalugwe Village.

Another person, ChifuniroKachere from John Village, said she is living in hiding due to frequent visits by unknown people to her home.

MHRC child rights deputy director Priscilla Thawe said it was worrisome that even after various sensitisation meetings in the district, some people were still hunting PWA.

“We noted that during previous sensitisation meetings, issues of killings of children were not emphasised. Yet, many are victims,” she said.

Phalombe Police Station assistant superintendent Maureen Mnkhwamba assured the people of security.

The meeting was funded by Save the Children.