By Burnett Munthali
The Executive Director for Human Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi, Stella Nkhonya, has expressed concern over the limited awareness of the Disability Act among people with disabilities in the country.
Speaking during a two-day training session in Dedza, Nkhonya emphasized the urgent need to increase awareness of the Act and ensure its effective implementation.
The training was attended by approximately 30 members of the Network for Girls and Women with Disabilities in Malawi (NEGWDM).
Nkhonya pointed out that despite the existence of the Disability Act, many people with disabilities remain unaware of their rights and the legal frameworks designed to protect them.
She stressed that without proper awareness, the Act cannot serve its intended purpose of promoting inclusivity and safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities.
One of the NEGWDM members, Scader Louis, further highlighted that the lack of awareness about the Act significantly denies people with disabilities, particularly women, access to justice.
She noted that many women with disabilities face challenges in seeking legal recourse because they do not know their rights under the law.
Louis emphasized that ignorance of the law often leads to further marginalization and exclusion from critical social and economic opportunities.
However, she acknowledged that the training provided them with the necessary skills to advocate for their rights and demand justice.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would empower them to challenge discrimination and push for better enforcement of the Disability Act.
The training is part of the ‘Pamodzi Kuthetsa Nkhanza’ (PKN) Project, an initiative aimed at addressing gender-based violence and discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the Commonwealth and Development Office.
Three organizations—Women Legal Resource Centre, Girls Empowerment Network, and WAG Disability Rights—are implementing the project to promote legal awareness and empowerment.
The PKN Project seeks to enhance the capacity of women and girls with disabilities to engage with legal and policy frameworks that affect their lives.
By equipping them with advocacy skills, the initiative aims to strengthen their ability to demand accountability from duty bearers and influence policy reforms.
As the campaign for greater awareness continues, stakeholders are being urged to intensify efforts in sensitizing communities about the Disability Act and its significance.
The call for action underscores the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind in legal and social development initiatives.
With continued advocacy and education, Malawi can make meaningful progress in protecting and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities.
