HIV+ men rape women with albinism

Tracy Panashe
Some superstitious Zimbabwean men living with HIV are said to be raping women with albinism under the misguided notion that this will cure them of the virus. The Zimbabwe Albino Association (Zimas) estimates that 70 percent of the rape victims are succumbing to HIV before the age of 60.

Zimas director Mrs Mercy Chimanga said due to fear of stigmatisation, very few victims revealed they had been raped when their health had already deteriorated. The association linked this abuse to the “HIV curing” myth based on victims’ testimonies.
It is unclear, however, how the belief evolved.

“Our girls are being raped and this is of great concern,” said Mrs Chimanga.
“We believe hundreds of sexual abuses are occurring, yet only a small number has been reported.”

Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (Alcoz) executive director Mrs Loveness Mainato implored swift Government intervention “because a combination of albinism, HIV and skin cancer equals daylight murder”.

Ministry of Health and Child Care director (Aids and Tuberculosis) Dr Owen Mugurungi said bedding a person with albinism does not cure Aids.

“Instead, people should take their medication and stop transmitting the virus. They should not follow silly procedures (prescribed) by misinformed n’angas and apostolic sect members,” he said.

Albinism is a genetic deficiency of melanin production that results in the partial or complete absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes.
Over 17 000 Zimbabweans have some form of albinism, according to Zimas.