Thousands of Malawians living with albinism remain locked out of jobs and equal opportunities, forcing the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to call for urgent action against discrimination.
Marking International Albinism Awareness Day 2026, MHRC Chairperson Chikondi Chijozi Jere urged government, employers and communities to dismantle systemic barriers preventing persons with albinism from accessing decent employment and fully participating in society.
In a press statement, Chijozi Jere said employment discrimination continues to be one of the most persistent human rights challenges facing persons with albinism in Malawi.
“Despite constitutional and international guarantees of equality and non-discrimination, persons with albinism in Malawi continue to face systemic barriers to education, employment, and social inclusion,” the statement reads.
The MHRC said excluding PWA from employment violates their rights to equality, dignity, participation, and economic empowerment and it has called on government, employers, and educational institutions to enforce legal protections, provide reasonable accommodation, and promote inclusion in all spheres of national life.
The Commission also raised concern over continued attacks, killings, abductions, and trafficking of body parts targeting persons with albinism.
To address the violations, the MHRC wants government to intensify prevention measures, expedite investigations and prosecutions, and end impunity for crimes against PWA.
It also urged law enforcement to treat such acts as serious human rights violations and called on traditional, religious, and community leaders to challenge beliefs that fuel discrimination and violence.
