Fact-finding mission in the Republic of Malawi to assess the situation of children with albinism.
31 August 2022- Lilongwe Drawing its mandate from the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which empowers the ACERWC to resort to any appropriate method of investigating any matter falling within the ambit of the Charter, the ACERWC has concluded its mission in the Republic of Malawi to assess the situation of children with albinism. The mission was held on 29-31 August 2022 and was done under the auspicious of the Working Group of the ACERWC on Children with Disabilities. The mission aimed at assessing the nature and gravity of violations that children with albinism face in Malawi; the impact of the discrimination on education, health, and other basic services. The mission also sought to examine the vulnerability of children with albinism, who are already in vulnerable situations; these include the girl child, refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, those who are separated from their families, and caregivers among others. The Mission also monitored the adequacy, appropriateness, and inclusiveness of the Government of Malawi’s response to the challenges of children with albinism; like the extent of provision of appropriate protection and public services for the full enjoyment of their rights and welfare; reasonable accommodation, assistive and adaptive devices in school; as well as receipt of appropriate healthcare services. The Mission also sought to assess the level of implementation of the ACERWC’s decision on Communication No 004/Com/001/2014 submitted by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa against the Republic of Malawi.