What’s the latest from the team behind the website? Follow our activities by clicking on the links below.
A new Global Alliance of People with Albinism is formed
From 26-28 January 2020, civil society groups representing people with albinism from six continents gathered in Paris to lay the foundations for an international coalition to combat attacks, stigmatization, and discrimination against people with albinism worldwide.
“[T]oday a fundamental step has been taken and a foundation has been laid for a new era for people with albinism worldwide, particularly where they need the most support,” said Ikponwosa Ero, the United Nations Independent Expert on Albinism and one of the organizers of the event. “We are not going to turn back now.”
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/01/28/people-albinism-form-first-ever-global-alliance
A call for people with albinism to be included in Uganda census data
The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rebecca Kadaga, has called for people with albinism to be officially recognised in census data so that the government will be able to better address the medical and safety issues they face. She also called for increased awareness of albinism in Uganda, remarking that many people are still not aware of the condition while in other areas people living with albinism continue to be on the receiving end of negativity from communities.
https://www.independent.co.ug/kadaga-demands-census-for-persons-with-albinism/
Are personal alarms a solution to security threats to people with albinism?
As part of its efforts to address the security threats posed to people with albinism, the government of Malawi has provided them with personal security alarms. The Malawi police service has been distributing the alarms since September 2019. The alarms can be activated by removal of a pin, alerting people nearby to assist whenever a person with albinism is in danger. Malawi’s finance minister, Joseph Mwanamvekha told parliament in February 2020 that approximately 5000 alarms have been distributed. AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi
https://apnews.com/57b8109fc989fe03a301f9d075471fdd
International Albinism Awareness Day 2019: Still Standing Strong
This year, the theme for International Albinism Awareness Day is ‘Still Standing Strong’. The theme has been chosen to celebrate the resilience and strength shown by those affected by albinism, despite the challenges that they face. On the 13th of June, people from around the world will come together to celebrate strength and raise awareness. Last year, the theme was “shining our light to the world”. Events took place in over 25 countries, including in Fiji where the Fiji Albinism Project worked alongside the UN to provide entertainment to raise awareness and free medical check-ups.
News from Zimbabwe
A new project has launched by the Buhera District Association for Persons with Albinism in Zimbabwe aims to empower those with albinism to strive for equal treatment and opportunities. The project will work by creating opportunities for people with albinism in the district to practice activities such as dressmaking and will provide resources such as sunscreen.
Last year, Zimbabwe hosted its first Miss Albinism beauty pageant. The pageant aimed to empower women living with Albinism in Zimbabwe and reduce the misconceptions and stigma around Albinism.
Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa
The first Mr and Miss Albinism East Africa took place in Nairobi in November 2018, hosted by the Albinism Society of Kenya (ASK). Around 30 people with albinism travelled to take part. The motto of the event is “beauty beyond the skin”. Its primary aim is to put an end to the stigma and myths surrounding albinism, and allow young people living with albinism to feel empowered. Contestants who took part in the pageant have said that it has improved their confidence and self-esteem. It also brought people together. The winners of the contest were Silas Shedrack and Maryanne Muigai.
New Booklet on Albinism for Teachers in Tanzania launched
A new information booklet, available in Swahili and English, could help teachers in Tanzania improve conditions for pupils with albinism in their schools.
The booklet has been developed by Dr Charlotte Baker (Lancaster University), Dr Patricia Lund (Coventry University) and Gareth Dart (University of Worcester), in partnership with the Tanzania-based NGO Standing Voice. Their work has been supported by the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, Ms. Ikponwosa Ero and is funded by Lancaster University.
The guide aims to ensure that young people with albinism in Tanzania have access to education and that their classrooms are accessible. Children with albinism face particular challenges in the school and classroom setting, that range from physical barriers to learning, a lack of awareness of how to accommodate their low vision, and a set of myths and stereotypes that can make them a target of their peers.
The booklet, also available as a pdf, offers guidance to teachers on how to deal with offensive language and behavior and the stereotyping of children with albinism which often has profound consequences.
It also offers practical advice to teachers as to how best to support the children – simple things such as wearing hats outside and sitting at the front of the classroom near the board and away from bright direct light to help with low vision. The guide also offers advice to head teachers so that they can best support teachers in their quest for a positive learning environment and understanding.
The booklet will initially be distributed to schools throughout Tanzania through the Standing Voice vision programme and, later, revised for distribution to teachers in other African countries where there are significant numbers of children with albinism.
Doris Mbura, a teacher who took part in a focus group during the development of the booklet commented that “These children are the teachers and doctors of tomorrow. With this support they can be the best”.
Barcelona Research Project
We are a group of five girls (Andrea, Sara, Diana, Judit and Suadmara) who study journalism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, in Spain. We are all in our first year of college and we had to do a research project about an important topic in Africa, so we decided to do it about albinism.
We choose this topic because we were shocked when we found out about what albino people in Africa have to go through and we wanted to investigate and have more information about this, because we think that here in Spain almost nobody talks about it. The project we’re doing is not going to reach lots of people but at least we can learn and our class too. We learned that people with albinism are exposed to lots of health problems and they are surrounded by myths and stereotypes, that causes multiple attacks and deaths and that needs to end. We all need to talk about this, spread awareness and stop the myths so people with albinism are safe and happy.
We want to thank again Charlotte Baker for being so kind and answering all of our questions, we think your job and the organisation is fantastic.
Suadmara Tuachi, journalism student at UAB.
New Information Booklet for Teachers
The NGO Standing Voice is working with Dr Charlotte Baker (Lancaster University), Dr Patricia Lund (Coventry University) and Dr Gareth Dart (University of Worcester) to develop an Information Booklet for Teachers in Tanzania. The information booklet focuses on what albinism is and how it affects a child’s learning. It contains practical advice to enable teachers to support children with albinism to reach their potential in school. The booklet will be available in Swahili and in English.
UN meeting to tackle witchcraft-related attacks on people with albinism
In numerous countries around the world, witchcraft-related beliefs and practices have resulted in serious violations of human rights including, beatings, banishment, cutting of body parts, amputation of limbs, torture and murder.
Women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, particularly persons with albinism, are particularly vulnerable. Despite the seriousness of these human rights abuses, there is often no robust state led response.
A ground-breaking workshop at the UN Headquarters in Geneva on 21-22 September 2017 will bring together UN and Government Officials, academics, activists, policy makers and faith leaders to outline the scale of the problem and identify solutions to prevent further human rights violations from taking place.
The workshop is organised by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN) and Lancaster University.
Click here for a PDF of the poster for the workshop. For further information, please contact workshop@whrin.org
The Challenge of Bullying in Schools
Simon Ngalomba, Lecturer in Educational Management at the University of Dar es Salaam has published an article on ‘Taunts and bullying drive children with albinism from Tanzanian schools’ on The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/taunts-and-bullying-drive-children-with-albinism-from-tanzanian-schools-63559
Albinism and Witchcraft meeting planned at the UN
The UN Independent Expert on Albinism, Ikponwosa Ero visited Lancaster University from 2 - 4 November 2016 to participate in a meeting organised by Dr Charlotte Baker, Director of the Albinism in Africa project, and supported by the Lancaster University Impact Fund.
Delegates included Gary Foxcroft (Director, Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network), Jon Beale (Standing Voice), Patricia Lund (Coventry University), Rick Jones and Emilie Secker (Safe Child Africa), Charlotte Baker (Lancaster University) and Samantha Spence (Lancaster University).
The focus of the meeting was to plan an Expert Meeting on Albinism and Witchcraft at the United Nations headquarters in 2017. The Expert Meeting will put forward a series of recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in a bid to influence policy on this issue in the countries affected.
Regional Forum for Action on Albinism in Africa
The first-ever regional forum for Action on Albinism in Africa was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 17-19 June 2016. The event was hosted by the United Nations Independent Expert on albinism, Ikponwosa Ero with the aim of developing specific measures to tackle the attacks and discrimination faced by persons with albinism in several countries in the region.
Standing Voice’s Vision Programme in Tanzania
In March 2016, Standing Voice coordinated a three-day event delivering care and education to 302 patients with albinism from across the Lake Zone of Tanzania. Established in early 2014, Standing Voice’s Vision Programme is a network of clinics delivering low-vision care across seven regions of Tanzania.
http://www.zetteler.co.uk/news/standing-voice-vision-for-the-future
On Albinism Awareness Day 2016, Ban Ki Moon urges all countries to break cycle of attacks and discrimination
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all countries to end the discrimination that threatens the wellbeing, health and even the lives of people with albinism, and to provide programs that will enable them to play a full part in society. “I call on all countries and stakeholders to recognize that human rights apply to all people everywhere, including people with albinism,” Mr. Ban said in a message, marking the second International Albinism Awareness Day since the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution dedicating 13 June to this issue.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=54206#.V3I33mdTGUm
Bonface Massah wins Bari-Bari Prize for Albinism Advocacy
Bonface Massah of Malawi was announced as the winner of the first Bari-Bari Prize for outstanding albinism advocacy at the Pan African Albinism Conference in November 2015. The Bari Bari Prize was initiated by Under The Same Sun in honour of Ambassador Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari of Somalia to the UN office in Geneva, who led several albinism resolutions at the UN. Tragically, his life was taken in a terrorist attack on March 27, 2015. See article in The Nation.
Pan African Albinism Conference (PAAC) hosted by Under the Same Sun in Tanzania
The Pan African Albinism Conference was hosted by UTSS at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from November 19- 22, 2015. Approximately 200 people attended, with representation from the albinism communities of 29 African nations as well as 9 non-African nations.
The conference was sponsored by Under The Same Sun, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Standing Voice, UNICEF, the Open Society Initiative of East Africa, Holiday Inn, Precision Air, the embassies of France and the Netherlands and the Canadian High Commission.
A medical clinic was run on-site by Standing Voice, and all conference attendees with albinism received free skin and eye examinations. For more about the conference see Under the Same Sun.
International Albinism Awareness Day
The 13th of June was chosen as International Albinism Awareness Day, as it was on that day in 2013 that the UN adopted its first ever resolutionon albinism. The move was the result of advocacy by Under the Same Sun and cooperation with various UN bodies.
International Albinism Awareness Day aims to increase international attention and to raise awareness of the human rights situation of people with albinism to fight against discrimination and stigma.
The UN dedicated a website to persons with albinism http://albinism.ohchr.org and you can find the International Albinism Day website here: http://www.albinismday.com
Cameroon Conference 2015
A meeting on 2 July 2014, funded by Charlotte Baker’s Lancaster University Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, enabled the project team to start planning for a two day conference in Cameroon in 2015. The conference will bring together researchers, scientists, medical professionals, and those involved in education and advocacy, with leaders of associations that support people with albinism throughout Africa. Click here for a report on our 2015 conference.
Charlotte Baker’s blog and contribution to The Conversation
Charlotte Baker’s Lancaster University blog flags up the importance of collaboration between researchers and associations in challenging misconceptions about albinism: http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/blogs/charlotte-baker/albinism-in-africa, as does her contribution to The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/grave-robbers-and-killing-sprees-living-with-albinism-in-east-africa-32300
News links provided by Under The Same Sun http://www.underthesamesun.com/news:
Tanzanian Albinos Fear for Safety After Rally Canceled
Newsweek, 3 February 2015 (Thomson Reuters Foundation): Tanzanian police banned a demonstration on Monday to protest against attacks and murders of albinos, fuelling concerns that authorities are not committed to ending violence against albinos whose body parts are highly valued in witchcraft. Read more…
Attacks on Albinos: UN Passes Historic Resolution
The Patriotic Vanguard, Sierra Leone News Portal, 20 June 2013: On June 13, 2013 the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by The African Group of Nations which recognizes and addresses the attacks and discrimination people with albinism face in many countries. Read more…
Africa and Albinism: Horrors give rise to awareness
The Africa Report, 9 October 2012: Different cultures around the world have many beliefs regarding people with albinism. Some African communities believe that albinos are a bad omen. Some African communities mistakenly think albinos are mentally retarded and discourage their parents from taking them to school. It is a waste of money, some argue. Read more…
Recent Comments