Kalilani said this Thursday at Chiwembu community ground in Mwanza during this year’s national commemoration of the Day of African Child.
She said every Malawian has the responsibility of ensuring that people with albinism, especially children, are protected from abduction and killings.
“Creating a safer environment for people with albinism requires a concerted effort. While government has set up measures of stopping this malpractice communities too need to play their rightful roles in promoting and protecting the rights of people with albinism,” she explained.
Dr Kalilani said it is very sad to note that despite various efforts to stop the malpractice people with albinism are still facing challenges of being abducted and killed.
The minister however, said government has put in place effective and efficient measures that would stop perpetrators from abducting and killing albinos in the country.
Among others, she said government has strengthened its judicial system such that cases related to albino abduction and killing would be handled faster and those found guilty would be given stiffer punishment.
At this point, Kalilani commended the high court in Mzuzu for passing a life imprisonment sentence to one of the perpetrators.
“We are very thankful to the judiciary for passing a life imprisonment sentence because it will send a good warning to other would-be offenders,” she said.
She also said despite families having inadequate food stuffs, they should always ensure that their children are given enough food in order for them to grow well.
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Gender Children Disability and Social Welfare, Dr Mary Shawa said the Day of the African Child is very important because it provides opportunities for stakeholders to assess how they have performed in protecting and promoting the rights of children.
“We make improvements in areas where we see we have not done well and maintain areas where our performance has been satisfactory,” she said.
Shawa said the day is commemorated in remembrance of the South African children who suffered during the apartheid era.
Senior Chief Nthache thanked government for holding the national event in his area promising to work together with government in protecting and promoting the rights of children in the area.
“I have always been instructing chiefs under my authority to make sure that children and people with albinism are enjoying their right to life,” he said.
The event was commemorated under the theme, ‘Protecting Children’s Rights in Conflict and Crisis.
The commemoration was spiced up with performances that carried messages around protecting children from hunger, stopping abduction and killing of children with albinism and stopping sexual abuse of children during crisis.