News Highlights
June 13 marks International Albinism day
Background of International Albinism Awareness Day
- In the mid-2000s, reports of violent attacks on and murders of albinos in Tanzania.
- They believe that albinos had magical powers, so they were killed for parts to be used in occult rituals
- Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs lobbied for the rights of Albinos
- This led to the celebration of the first Albino Day on May 4, 2006.
- Later Human Rights Council recommended June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day
Significance of International Albinism Awareness Day
- To bring about awareness among the people about albinism and the human rights of albinos.
- And also to educate people and celebrate albinos who continue to suffer all types of human rights violations.
Theme of International Albinism Awareness Day
- The theme for the year 2022 is “United in making our voice heard”.
- The theme is chosen for various reasons.
- To include voices of albinos to ensure equality;
- Amplifying the voices and visibility of albinos in different areas of life;
- Highlighting the work being done by albinos in different parts of the world.
What is Albinism?
- Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetic disorder present at birth.
- 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 albinos visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.
- Both sexes are prone to Albinism
- Countries with more Albinism
- It is predominant and common in countries like Sub-Saharan Africa, America, China, India, Japan, Korea.
Albinism in India
- In Indian context, an estimated population of albinos is 1- 2 Lack
- Discrimination faced in India
- Discrimination faced as a student
- Parents of other students objected for admission due to misconception that this could be a contagious disease
- Admission process delayed due to different physical appearance and reported objection from teachers of the school
- Isolated sitting arrangement from other students in the classroom
- Rude behavior of classmates or other students in the school.
- Problem faced at workplace
- lack of cooperation as the major problem at workplace
- Facing isolation as no one wanted to get close to them due to their different appearance.
- Mental harassment and rejection for job due to their condition
- Public behavior towards albinos
- Isolating, untouchability and refusal by common people at public place
- Use of abusive language quoting the gene responsible for their condition came from foreigners and other mental harassment by the public.
- unequal treatment at health centers and rude behavior by doctors and other patients
- some misconception like it’s a disease and its infectious; it’s a curse etc
Way Forward
- Extensive and exhaustive effort should given by government, non-government and local and other authorities in creating awareness on through media coverage, newspaper promotion, social media circulation etc
- The awareness programmes should also be frequent in numbers irrespective of urban or rural places and messages should be widespread that ‘ALBINISM IS NOT A DISEASE, IT IS NOT INFECTIOUS AND ALBINO PEOPLE ARE EQUALLY NORMAL AS NON ALBINOS ARE’.
Pic Courtesy: Indian Express
Content Source – New Indian Express