Lilongwe, August 30, 2024 – A crucial meeting was held today at the Ministry of Disability and Elderly Affairs in Lilongwe to strategize and map out the way forward for the upcoming 2024 International Week of Deaf People. This year’s Deaf Week will be commemorated in Ntchisi District from September 23 to 29, 2024. The theme for this year is “Sign Up for Sign Language Rights,” which emphasizes the importance of recognizing and promoting sign language as a fundamental human right for the Deaf community.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Disability and Elderly Affairs, the Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD), and various partner organizations. The main agenda was to ensure that all preparations are in place for a successful and inclusive Deaf Week celebration.
MANAD is an association of Deaf people in Malawi and serves as the primary voice for the Deaf community in the country. The association is affiliated with the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and is a member of the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA). Through these affiliations, MANAD actively participates in global and national advocacy for the rights of Deaf people, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
The International Week of Deaf People is celebrated globally during the last week of September. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the Deaf community, their culture, and the significance of sign language. Within this week, the International Day of Sign Languages, observed on September 23, highlights the critical role that sign languages play in the full realization of the human rights of Deaf people.
As the preparations intensify, MANAD would like to appeal to the public and stakeholders for additional support toward this year’s Deaf Week. While we are grateful to the people of Finland, through the Finnish Association of the Deaf, the Malawi Government, and Save the Children for their contributions, the current funding is insufficient to cover all planned activities. We are calling on other organizations, companies, and individuals to join us in ensuring that the 2024 Deaf Week is a resounding success.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to work collaboratively to make this year’s Deaf Week an impactful and memorable event for the Deaf community in Malawi.
