As Malawi condemns xenophobic attacks against Africans in South Africa, refugees living in Dzaleka Refugee Camp are challenging the country to reflect on inclusion, dignity and opportunities for people seeking safety within its own borders.
The call was made in Lilongwe on Thursday during a Media and Civil Society workshop on refugee welfare and social inclusion organized by Art and Global Health Center (ARTGLO). The engagement brought together journalists, civil society leaders and stakeholders for a screening of We Name Ourselves, a documentary that captures the experiences of refugee youth in Dzaleka.
Produced by Home Storytellers, the film follows teenage poets who use art as a means of confronting trauma, expressing their realities and rebuilding hope in a difficult environment. Through their own words, the young refugees tell stories of displacement, uncertainty and resilience while seeking to be recognised beyond their refugee status.
ARTGLO Executive Director Rodger Phiri said the documentary was being used as a catalyst for national dialogue on how Malawi supports and integrates refugees. He said the country’s strong stance against xenophobia elsewhere should also encourage reflection on the experiences of refugees living within Malawi.
“As much as we are up in arms as a country condemning xenophobic attacks in South Africa, we also want to come back home and reflect on how best we are handling and looking after our refugees,” said Phiri.
Malawi’s refugee management system is largely based on an encampment policy, which requires refugees to remain in designated camps and limits their freedom of movement and access to employment. Stakeholders at the workshop said the approach has made it difficult for many refugees to become self-reliant, particularly amid economic pressures and declining humanitarian support.
Phiri said the ongoing review of Malawi’s refugee policy provides an opportunity for refugee voices and lived experiences to shape future reforms. He said conversations generated through platforms such as the documentary screening should contribute to the development of policies that address both national priorities and refugee welfare.
Jonas Barckhausen, Impact Producer at Home Storytellers, said the documentary was created after filmmakers spent a month in Dzaleka working alongside teenage poets who helped shape the story. He said the project was designed to give refugee youth a platform to share their experiences while showing the role of creativity in healing, advocacy and building hope.
“We think it’s extremely important to be able to work for yourself, to have hope and to improve your situation. If there are systems that prevent people from doing that, it affects not only individuals but society as a whole,” said Barkhausen.
The stories shared through We Name Ourselves reach far beyond the borders of Dzaleka Refugee Camp, serving as a reminder that ending xenophobia requires more than condemning attacks. It also demands creating communities where refugees are treated with dignity, embraced with inclusion and given meaningful opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute to society.
