International Albinism Awareness Day: Let's end the stigma
13 June marks International Albinism Awareness Day. Here is what you need to know about the condition.
Albinism affects thousands of people in South Africa and millions around the world.
Those suffering from the condition are often marginalised.
In some cases, killings even occur. In 2017, Mail & Guardian reported that in the last ten years, close to 200 killings and more than 500 attacks on people with albinism were reported in 27 sub-Saharan African countries.
READ: Malawi albinos targeted in 'unprecedented' killing wave
According to abc News, people with albinism are hunted for their body parts. They are also believed to have bad luck.
Some view the condition as a disability. Children who have the condition are, in some instances, sent to special schools for people with disabilities.
READ: Witchcraft threatens Malawi albinos with extinction: UN expert
International Albinism Awareness Day, which takes place every year on 13 June, is aimed at putting an end to the stigma and mistreatment of those living with the condition.
Let's look at eight facts about albinism:
- Albinism is a rare group of genetic disorders. It is caused by a defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin.
- The lack of melanin causes the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no colour.
- Children who are born to parents who have the condition or carry the gene for albinism are at a higher risk of being born with the condition.
- Suffering from albinism puts one at risk of developing skin cancer.
- Statistics show that many people who suffer with albinism die from skin cancer when they are between the ages of 30 and 40.
- People suffering from albinism have to do regular health checks, put on sunscreen, and wear sunglasses and sun-protective clothing in order to better manage the condition.
- People with albinism have vulnerability to the sun and bright light, and as a result they often have permanent visual impairment.
- There is currently no cure for albinism.
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Image courtesy of iStock/ @Anton Vierietin