ALCOZ hails Govt

Tanaka Mahanya

GOVERNMENT has been hailed for working with the private sector to address challenges faced by people living with albinism.

In an interview with H-Metro, Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ) executive director and founding member, Loveness Mainato, said they were delighted that the Government introduced a policy requiring companies to employ a certain percentage of people living with albinism.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to provide medication to the cancer patients with albinism.

“We are happy with the Government’s commitment to help our members,” she said.

Mainato, whose organisation is exhibiting at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), said people with albinism usually face stigma, from pre-school up to employment level.

“When they start school, they are often neglected and segregated.  We strive to address challenges they                     face.

“It is not all about providing medicine, but it is important that we provide awareness and educate parents.”

Mainato said children living with albinism suffer negligence, from child birth, leading to the separation and divorce of parents.

“We are working with the police. We have reported the rape cases and we want the perpetrators brought to book.

“The organisation is working towards ending name-calling and advocating for equal treatment despite race or tribe.

“There were reports of people with albinism being killed, years ago, and it is our duty to ensure it does not happen in the future.

“The organisation is working towards ending practices, which include marrying off young girls, which has seen people with albinism falling prey to abusers,” she said.