AU WATCH

International Albinism Awareness Day

13 June

International Albinism Awareness Day logoOn Wednesday, 19 November 2014, the General Assembly of the UN adopted “International Albinism Awareness Day” via a historic resolution.

13 June was chosen as it was on that day in 2013 that the UN adopted its first ever resolution on albinism.

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 marginalisation 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.