By ZBC Reporter
The adoption of comprehensive strategies to ensure that persons with albinism are afforded equal protection under the law and in practice has been noted as key in ending discrimination against people with albinism.
Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood hence the need to increase awareness on the condition with the physical appearance of persons with albinism often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalisation and social exclusion.
“Society still struggles to embrace us especially the younger generation. This is mostly because they lack understanding of the condition,” a person with albinism said.
Another noted: “We are also humans and deserve to be treated as such. Having people remember and recognise us like this makes us feel wanted and important.”
This Saturday, the Diplomatic Spouses Association (DSA) in Zimbabwe walked three kilometers to raise awareness and funds to assist people with albinism in Harare.
The DSA president, who is the Indonesian Ambassador’s wife, Her Excellency Hanna Sastrawan said they aim to continue rendering assistance to the Albino community.
“This is the first programme we have done for the Albino community and we intend to do more. We are hoping to continue working with the affected people and continue to raise awareness on the condition so that society appreciates the condition,” she said.
Research has shown that, one out of every 17,000 people across the world have albinism with Africa and Europe having the greatest number.
It also shows Zimbabwe has over 40 000 people with Albinism.