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An opinion poll on the mobile-based platform, U-Report Malawi, has revealed that the greatest challenge people with albinism face is attacks because of certain traditional beliefs. U-Report, which allows young people to share their views through regular opinion polling, currently has 144,729 participants called U-Reporters, from across Malawi. The latest poll sought to learn more about U-Reporters’ awareness and opinions about people with albinism and the problems they face. Out of the 33,605 U-Reporters who participated in the poll, 61% cited attacks because of traditional beliefs as the biggest problem. 69% of the respondents said they know someone with albinism. The poll also asked U-Reporters their level of confidence in the police and courts dealing with cases of violence against people with albinism. 36% said they are very confident, 26% are somewhat confident and another 26% are not confident in the police and courts handling cases of violence against people with albinism. Since 2015, cases of attacks on people with albinism have been on the rise. The Malawi Police Service recorded 60 cases in 2015, 30 in 2016 and 52 in 2017. The fear brought by the attacks has led to people with albinism not wanting to leave their homes. In some cases, children with albinism have stopped attending school. In response to the attacks, the Government of Malawi and its partners have intervened in several areas, such as research to better understand the root causes and drivers of the attacks, and community awareness on the rights of people with albinism, to inform activities that will address myths that lead to the attacks. Investigations and prosecutions of attackers have also increased, and Malawi has agreed to take concrete action to ensure that the Anti-Human Trafficking Act is effectively implemented and that people with albinism are provided with equal protection by the law. UNICEF, with support from UK Aid, has conducted a study in Malawi that analyses cases of attacks on people with albinism that have been investigated and prosecuted. The aim of the study was to understand the nature and trends of these cases and to identify challenges, opportunities and successful approaches in investigating and prosecuting offenses. The report established that although there has been a significant reduction, the attacks have not stopped. In most of these cases, a person who is close to the victim, either a relative or a well-known acquaintance or friend of the victim is involved in the attack. The albinism poll is the tenth opinion poll in Malawi using U-Report. Anyone can be part of this movement by texting JOIN to 1177. It is free of charge on both Airtel and TNM. U-Report Malawi is an opinion-based platform. Poll results reflect the views of registered U-Reporters, who may not be representative of the population as a whole. For example, they need to own or have access to a mobile phone. U-Report allows young people to speak out, via SMS polls and messages, on what is happening in their communities. The platform also feeds back useful information to U-Reporters, so that they are empowered to work for change in their communities. Full results of the poll are available on the U-Report
website at:
For further information please contact: Rebecca Phwitiko, UNICEF Malawi, |
