Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting rights of people with hearing impairment by prioritizing sign language in public service delivery and education.
Speaking during a press briefing at Capital Hill in Lilongwe on Monday, Principal Secretary for Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Dr Nertha Semphere-Mgala, said the ministry will collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that sign language becomes an integral part of service provision.
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“We will work hand in hand with the Ministries of Education, Health, Information and Digitisation, and Labour to promote sign language rights in public service. This includes training teachers and ensuring platforms and formats are available to help people with disabilities access vital information,” said Semphere-Mgala.
She said government recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive environment for persons with hearing impairment, stressing that without sign language rights, there can be no human rights.
Highlighting education as a key priority, Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD) Executive Board Chairperson, Robert Mbendera, emphasized that education is the foundation of all rights, yet it remains one of the biggest barriers for children with hearing impairment.
“Research confirms that sign language enhances learning and cognitive development. However, in Malawi, inequality persists as there are no deaf teachers and very limited learning materials for learners with hearing impairment,” said Mbendera.
“We are appealing to government to take deliberate steps to close this gap so that children with hearing impairment can fully participate in education and achieve their potential,” he added.
He further called for the official recognition of sign language in Parliament and other national platforms to ensure persons with hearing impairment are included in decision-making processes.
This comes as Malawi prepares to commemorate International Week of the Deaf, which runs from September 29 to October 5, 2025 in Ntcheu.
Globally, the week is observed annually from September 22 to 28, but Malawi’s program was adjusted due to the recent general elections.
The main commemoration event, which will be led by Ministry of Gender in collaboration with MANAD, will take place on Friday, October 3, at Banga Primary School Ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mkutumula.
This year marks 67 years since the world began observing International Week of the Deaf, with the 2025 theme being, “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights”.
The week-long activities aim to raise awareness on the rights of persons with hearing impairment and promote efforts to create a more inclusive society.
