By Rahim Abdul
Access to healthcare, education, justice and other essential services remains a challenge for many deaf people in this country, prompting the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to call for stronger measures to ensure their full inclusion in society.
The call comes as Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Week of Deaf People from September 21 to 27, with the International Day of Sign Languages observed on September 23.
MHRC Executive Secretary Habiba Osman says in a statement that the observance provides an opportunity for the country to reflect on the challenges faced by deaf people and strengthen efforts to promote their inclusion.
Habiba Osman
Osman says deaf people continue to encounter difficulties in accessing essential services, including healthcare, education, justice and legal services.She said limited access to public information is also a major barrier, particularly when information is not provided in forms that are accessible to people with hearing disabilities.
According to Osman, economic marginalisation is another challenge facing deaf people, limiting their opportunities to participate fully in the country’s economic activities.
She says these barriers also affect the ability of deaf people to effectively exercise and enjoy their human rights.
To address some of the challenges, Osman says MHRC is calling for the recruitment and deployment of certified Malawi Sign Language interpreters in public institutions.
She says the commission is also encouraging the private sector to ensure that deaf people can access services by providing sign language interpretation where necessary.
She adds that MHRC further calling on the government to provide predictable funding for programmes aimed at empowering deaf people and improving their access to essential services.
Osman says sustained investment in such programmes help remove barriers and create an environment where deaf people can participate equally in society.
