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Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rights, dignity, and well-being of all citizens, including persons with albinism, through the launch of the National Action Plan for the Protection of Persons with Albinism (2026–2030).
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, has acknowledged that, despite progress in promoting human rights, persons with albinism in Zambia continued to face serious challenges.
Mwamba’s speech was delivered on her behalf by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability, Joseph Munsanje, during a launch event held in Lusaka on Monday.
“Harmful myths and misconceptions persist in our communities, contributing to stigma, discrimination, and in extreme cases, acts of violence, including loss of life. Women and children with albinism remain particularly vulnerable, especially in rural and border areas,” she said.
She explained that the newly launched Action Plan represented a shift from fragmented efforts to a unified national response, bringing together government institutions, civil society, traditional leaders, and cooperating partners.
The plan seeks to address key gaps in existing interventions, including weak data systems, limited accountability mechanisms, and insufficient public awareness.
Mwamba further noted that the framework aligned Zambia with the African Union Action Plan on Albinism and was structured around four key priorities: prevention of human rights violations; protection of fundamental rights such as life, health, and education; strengthened accountability and access to justice; and promotion of equality and non-discrimination.
She also called for improved coordination among organisations representing persons with albinism, urging them to establish a unified umbrella body to strengthen advocacy and reduce duplication of efforts. She emphasized that the success of the plan will depend on active participation from all stakeholders.
Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia National Chairperson, Professor Gaudenzio Rossi, commended Government for recognising that the protection of persons with albinism was linked to broader national priorities, including social protection, health, education, and human rights.
He said this demonstrated Government’s commitment to ensuring that no one was left behind.
Meanwhile, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Director General, Frankson Musukwa, described the Action Plan as a significant opportunity to strengthen collaboration, improve coordination, and enhance service delivery for persons with albinism across the country.
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