CHAMPIONING DISABILITY RIGHTS THE LAW SCHOOL PROGRAM

There have been three parts to this work. First, the faculty has intergrated the teaching of disability rights into its teaching and research activities. Secondly, the Faculty’s legal clinic includes a disability rights component. Thirdly, staff and students in the faculty have been engaged in disability rights community outreach. 

One of the activities under teaching activities was a study visit to Kamuzu Vocational, Rehabilitation ajnd Training Centre at Magomero in Chiradzulu district. Dr Chilemba, a lecturer in the faculty, was accompanied by 35 students - some of whom were drawn from the special needs section of Chancellor College - on this trip. The purpose of the trip was to appreciate the extent to which the Malawi government is fulfilling its obligation to realize the rights of people with disabilities. 

In November, the Faculty conducted a training workshop for judicial officers of the Eastern Region of Malawi, where they equipped magistrates with the law of disability. This was convened at the law faculty, and involved magistartes from Zomba, Phalombe, Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka and Ntcheu districts. 

Under the same program, the Faculty was able to hold a Disability Rights Conference on 1st December, at Malawi Sun Hotel. The conference was attended by staff, students, and members of the public.