Advocates Call for More Psychosocial Support for Albinism Attack Survivors
Massah made the call on the sidelines of a training for local stakeholders on albinism-related cases under the Ufulu Wanga Project, funded by the European Union.
MACHINGA, Malawi - A local non-governmental organization Standing Voice, which advocates for the rights of people with albinism, has reiterated the need for stakeholders to put more effort into providing psychosocial care for albinism attack survivors, writes Martin Chiwanda, MANA.
"As a country, we are doing enough on other areas but not enough on the issue of psychosocial support or care to those people with albinism who were attacked. These people are traumatized after being attacked and need psychosocial support which can address the mental health impact," said Boniface Massah, executive director of Standing Voice, in an interview Friday.
Massah made the call on the sidelines of a training for local stakeholders on albinism-related cases under the Ufulu Wanga Project, funded by the European Union.
He said Malawi has focused on physical attacks but forgotten the trauma survivors face afterward.
Massah further called upon all stakeholders not to stop sensitizing people on the rights of those with albinism, especially with the 2025 tripartite elections approaching.
"Malawians should not get tired in sensitizing the rights of people with albinism as we are going towards the tripartite elections. We need protection and enjoy all our constitutional rights," said Massah.
Traditional authorities Mizinga and Mchinguza concurred with Massah and committed to developing strategies to curb attacks in their areas.
Mizinga noted that as traditional leaders, they want to ensure people with albinism are protected and enjoy their rights.
"As traditional leaders, we have a role to play in making sure that people with albinism are protected and are enjoying their rights as everyone do. We are trying our best in coordinating with other stakeholders in our respective areas to ensure that people with albinism are protected all the time," said Mizinga.