Protect people with Albinism, says Apam
Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) has appealed to people in Kasungu District to protect persons with albinism.
Speaking on Tuesday after a solidarity march following the killing of a young girl with albinism in the district, Apam Kasungu chairperson Taonga Simkonda said there is need for more collaboration to protect persons with albinism.
“There is need to support each other as this is a stepping stone to ending the killings and abductions of persons with albinism,” he said.
Simkonda also expressed concern about safety, housing and medical support of persons with albinism.
He also asked Kasungu District Council to include persons with albinism in decision-making bodies.
Receiving the petition, Kasungu District Council director of public works Dave Chigwenembe said they already have individuals to represent persons with disabilities and they will start working soon.
He also said the council does not discriminate any person in discharging its duties.
“The council is using a national system and it does not segregate nor sideline persons with albinism. We have taken up the issue and it will be consideredby higher authorities,” said Chigwenembe.
On December 2 this year, police arrested three people in connection with the murder of three-year-old TalandiraChirwa, a child with albinism from Traditional Authority Chulu in the district.
Talandira was hacked while sleeping beside her 40-year-old grandmother now in police custody as one of the suspects.
Central East Region Police Commissioner Noel Kaira and Malawi Human Rights Commission commissioner Boniface Massa condemned the killing and pledged to conduct investigations into the issue.
Kaira said they will carry out speedy investigations to bring the culprits to book.
Apam inconjunction with Plan Malawi, organised the solidarity march to raise awareness on the rights of persons with albinism.
