…7000 people living with albinism in Eswatini
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku has called for the inclusion of people living with albinism.
He said this during a pre-commitment ceremony of International Albinism Awareness Day 2023.
This took place yesterday at Inhlanganisela Inamandla, Hluthi Central High School, Shiselweni Region.
Masuku said persons with albinism should be included in all sectors of life, regardless of their disabilities or health care needs.
He said they have the right to be respected and appreciated as members of their communities. He also urged them to partake in the National Elections 2023, whose last day of registration is tomorrow.
“Society’s attitudes about albinism have a tremendous influence on the person with albinism. These influences will vary from person to person and at different stages of life. Having albinism also has a tremendous emotional impact on the person which also varies from person to person and varies at different stages of life,” said Masuku.
He further said, it is in the balance and interplay between the external world and each individual’s internal response that a sense of self is born and sustained. He mentioned that Albinism is an important part of that sense of self.
“Neither the general public nor those with the condition agree about whether to identify albinism as a disability. This ambiguity creates a problem in the language used to talk about albinism.
It also makes it difficult for those with albinism to identify themselves as a group. In many ways, albinism is a unique condition.That uniqueness, however, leads to separateness and isolation for many people,” he said.
Worth noting is that the world always observes International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13 (Tuesday) in an United Nations effort to stop the brutalities against people with albinism.
Albinism is a rare and genetically inherited condition resulting in little or no pigmentation (melanin) in the skin, hair, and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light.
Though it is a non-contagious health condition, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.
In several cultures around the world, and particularly in many African countries, people with albinism live in constant fear of murder. Others experience severe discrimination and bullying.
The theme of this year’s celebration of International Albinism Awareness Day is ‘Inclusion is strength’ It focuses on the importance of inclusion of not only people of all races and ethnicities affected by albinism, but also young people, women, children and elderly persons.
It also stresses on the need to seek cooperation of various groups, including human rights groups that are not directly involved with the albinism movement.
According to the internet in 2013, the UNHRC adopted a resolution called ‘Attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism’
This UN resolution appealed for the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism since it 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 marginalisation and social exclusion and lead to various forms of stigma and discrimination.
Meanwhile, the President of people living with albinism Philmon Gama mentioned that there are 7000 people living with albinism in Eswatini, with the most being in Manzini. This he said was according to the World census report 2018.
Courtesy Pics of Eswatini Government
