Chikondi Chijozi
Chikondi Chijozi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 December 1984 |
| Education | University of Sussex and Chancellor College |
| Occupation | human rights lawyer |
| Employer | Malawi Human Rights Commission |
| Known for | Malawi's Human Rights Commissioner |
Chikondi Chijozi (born 24 December 1984) is a lawyer and the Human Rights commissioner in Malawi.
Early life and education
Chijozi is the first-born in a family of four children that include her twin.[1] She obtained a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Chancellor College at the University of Malawi.[1] She later earned a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.
Career
Chijozi began her legal career in 2004 as a paralegal officer with the Paralegal Advisory Service. In 2006, she was among a group of 12 paralegals who founded the Centre for Human Rights, Education, Advice and Assistance[1] (CHREAA), where she eventually served as Deputy Executive Director and Litigation Manager.
She later joined the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC),[2] where she serves as the Criminal Justice Lead. In this role, she has been a prominent advocate for prison law reform and the rights of marginalized groups, including prisoners, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.[3] She is a frequent commentator on legal issues and has been interviewed by outlets such as SABC News regarding judicial developments in Southern Africa.
Malawi Human Rights Commission
In 2021, Chijozi was appointed as commissioner for the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC). In 2023, she was reappointed by President Lazarus Chakwera[4] as part of the commission's eighth cohort. On 25 October 2023, she was elected Chairperson of the MHRC, succeeding the late Reverend Patrick Semphere.[5] Her leadership has been marked by efforts to address systemic injustices and promote constitutional freedoms
In early 2026, Chijozi led the commission in condemning the "barbaric" desecration of the grave of Mausamatha Zacharia, a person with albinism. The grave had been disturbed and the deceased's arms removed, as act linked to persistent superstitions regarding the use of body parts in ritual magic.[6] Chijozi called for greater protection for vulnerable groups and stricter enforcement against those targeting people with albinism.
References
- ^ a b c "Chikondi Chijozi: New Malawi Human Rights Commissioner". Nation Online. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Chikondi Chijozi". PILnet. Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ 17 reactions | SALC’s Chikondi Chijozi was interviewed by SABC News about the SADC Parliamentary Forum conference... Retrieved 19 January 2026 – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Congratulations Chikondi Chijozi as Human Rights Commissioner – NRA". Archived from the original on 15 November 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "New MHRC commissioner Chikondi Chijozi sworn in: Chakwera says 'lets build new Malawi free of human rights abuses'". www.nyasatimes.com. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ Chiputula, Eric (18 January 2026). "Even in death, albinism victims are not safe". Malawi 24. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.