Navicha launches 2025 Disability Rights Awareness month.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Hon. Mary Thom Navicha has officially launched the 2025 Disability Rights Awareness Month urging Malawians to promote inclusion and eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Speaking during a press briefing held in Lilongwe, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing equality and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities across all sectors of society.

Navicha highlighted that the annual campaign, which runs from November 3 to December 3, 2025, aims to create nationwide awareness on disability rights and challenge negative stereotypes that continue to marginalize persons with disabilities.

She explained that this year’s theme focuses on promoting inclusion through participation, empowerment and accessibility, noting that progress can only be achieved when every citizen is given an equal opportunity to contribute to national development.

The Minister further announced that her ministry will intensify collaboration with key partners, including civil society organizations, the private sector and local authorities, to roll out inclusive programmes targeting education, employment and infrastructure accessibility.

According to Navicha, ensuring that schools, workplaces and public facilities are disability-friendly remains a top government priority, as accessibility is central to achieving meaningful inclusion.

She also called on communities to shift attitudes towards persons with disabilities, emphasizing that empowerment begins with recognition, respect, and equal participation.

In her remarks, Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) Vice Chairperson, Scader Louis applauded the government’s continued efforts to promote disability rights but urged stronger implementation of policies that address structural and social barriers.

Louis stressed that persons with disabilities still face challenges in accessing education, employment and healthcare services, and called for collective action from all stakeholders to remove these obstacles.

The Government of Malawi introduced Disability Awareness Month in 2015 as part of its broader strategy to foster inclusion, raise awareness and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities nationwide.