International Albinism Awareness Day- 2021

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In virtually all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. Albinism is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism. International Albinism Awareness Day is celebrated on every 13th June annually.

 

2021 Theme – Strength Beyond All Odds

“Strength Beyond All Odds” is the theme for this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day.

The theme was chosen to:

1. Highlight the achievements of people with albinism around the world.
2. Show that people with albinism can defy all odds.
3. Celebrate how people with albinism worldwide meet and exceed expectations in all domains of life.
4. Encourage everyone during this time of a global pandemic to join the global effort to #BuildBackBetter

 

Health challenges of people living with albinism

The lack of melanin means persons with albinism are highly vulnerable to developing skin cancer. In some countries, a majority of persons with albinism die from skin cancer between 30 and 40 years of age. Skin cancer is highly preventable when persons with albinism enjoy their right to health. This includes access to regular health checks, sunscreen, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing. In a significant number of countries, these life-saving means are unavailable or inaccessible to them. Consequently, in the realm of development measures, persons with albinism have been and are among those “left furthest behind.” Therefore, they ought to be targeted for human rights interventions in the manner envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goals.

Due to a lack of melanin in the skin and eyes, persons with albinism often have permanent visual impairment. They also face discrimination due to their skin colour; as such, they are often subject to multiple and intersecting discrimination on the grounds of both disability and colour.

People with albinism and human rights
People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically. The physical appearance of persons with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalization and social exclusion. This leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination.

In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths, heavily influenced by superstition, put the security and lives of persons with albinism at constant risk. These beliefs and myths are centuries old and are present in cultural attitudes and practices around the world.

#SayNoToAlbinismDiscrimination

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