People with this condition – caused by a lack of the pigment melanin, which affects the color of their skin, hair and eyes – continue to face an uphill battle for their lives. dignity and equality, speak Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, UN Independent Expert on Albinism.
“My clear appeal today is to Governments, United Nations partners, civil society organisations, influencers, community members and all stakeholders. to reach out to people with albinism and make sure their voices are heard – to form new partnerships and strengthen existing ones,” she said in a message to mark International Albinism Awareness Day on Tuesday.
Represented all over the world
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious genetic condition that is present from birth. It is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries worldwide.
According to the United Nations, albinism is much more common in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated one in 1,400 people affected in Tanzania.
Incidence rates as high as 1/1,000 have been reported for selected populations in Zimbabwe and for other specific ethnic groups in South Africa.
Cancer and other dangers
Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and susceptible to skin cancer.
They also face discrimination because of the color of their skin, which means they are often multiple discrimination and intersect on the basis of disability and skin color. In some cultures, they are killed for their body parts.
Over the past decade, UN human rights organizations have get report belong to more than 600 attacks against children and adults with albinism. Witchcraft has been identified as one of the root causes of these attacks, as some believe that the body parts of people with albinism can bring good luck or wealth.
Diversity and cooperation
This year, the International Day is celebrated around the theme “Inclusion is Strength”, highlighting the importance of diversity – both within and outside the albino community.
Specifically, it highlights the value and benefits of including many people have albinism in discussions related to albinism, such as youth, women, children, older adults, and LGBTQ+ people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.
It also calls for cooperation and acceptance of albinism within the disability movement and in other areas where decisions affect people with the condition, as well as collaborate with other groups outside the albino movement, such as those working to promote human rights.
Turn policy into action
“Today, we have an opportunity to stop, reflect, and remember that not all people are treated equally and many people with albinism continue to abused and violated human rightsoften invisible and in silence,” says Miti-Drummond.
She is adamant that people with albinism cannot be excluded or left behind when it comes to decisions affecting them, emphasize that human rights law, policy and dialogue, must include issues related to albinism.
“More seriously, these must translate into action and tangible results,” she speaks.
Such a journey of integration will not be difficult given the multitude of human rights commitments that States and stakeholders have made at international, regional and national forums, she added.
“Integrating human rights is a popular mantra, and the challenges people with albinism face can be removed through strengthening partnerships and cooperation.”
