21/09/2026
As the country prepares to commemorate the International Day of Sign Languages on Wednesday, September 23 2026, people with hearing loss are asking for the recognition of the Malawi Sign Language (MSL) as an official language.
The commemoration will be held in Phalombe under the theme ‘Declaring Deaf People's Human Rights’, amid continued fight for equal access to education, health, justice and public services.
Four countries in Africa: Uganda, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe recognize their country specific sign languages in their constitutions, a move Malawian advocates propose.
Malawi National Association of the Deaf (Manad) executive director Byson Chimenya says this year's theme is a call to recognise that deaf people are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
“Lack of sign language access creates significant barriers for deaf people. In schools, many deaf learners struggle because teachers are not trained in sign language, making it difficult for them to fully understand lessons. In hospitals, patients with hearing impairment face misunderstanding and delayed treatment, while in workplaces they face discrimination during recruitment,” he said.
Sign language interpreter and special needs education advocate Savita Banda Wirima concurred with Chimenya, saying declaring deaf people's rights is empty without sign language.
She said: “Although Malawi laws protect the rights of deaf people, challenges remain, especially in sign language access, education, public information and availability of interpreters.
“Let’s put deaf awareness into action! Awareness is not just about understanding—it’s about creating inclusion, respecting the deaf culture, promoting communication access, and making a real difference. Together, we can make inclusion a reality.”
According to the 2018 National Statistical Office, the country recorded 377 000 deaf people.
(Report by: Kondwani Kamiyala)
