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The Herald, 16 June 2016
ZIMBABWEANS must continue to guard against the abominable practice of the arbitrary ritual killing of people living with albinism at the instigation of satanic beliefs, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Harare Metropolitan Province Miriam Chikukwa has said.
Minister Chikukwa made these remarks over the weekend in Harare on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Albinism Day.
In a speech read on her behalf by Mr Ignatius Mungure, the deputy director in the Ministry for Provincial Affairs in Harare Province, Cde Chikukwa said she was pleased to note that Zimbabweans had remained resolute in protecting the rights of people living with albinism.
“Because of this, we have not witnessed the horror taking place in other African countries where the ritual killing of people living with albinism has become the order of the day.
“We must continue to guard against this abominable practice from creeping into our communities through our Christian values and principles as taught in Mark 12 verse 31 which says, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’”, she said.
These commemorations, whose theme was: “Celebrate Diversity, Promote Inclusion, Protect Our Rights,” coincided with recent reports in neighbouring Malawi where an albino “terrorist” was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Speaking during the same event, Zimbabwe Albino Association fundraising chairman Mr Luke Kanhimbe said Government should empower people living with albinism, particularly in the social amenities sector as a way of curtailing marginalisation in the employment environment as organisations are shunning people with albinism.
The celebrations were organised by Alive Albinism Initiative, Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Albino Association.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
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.
Children and adults with albinism face multiple challenges which restrict their daily lives. These include visual impairment and extreme vulnerability to skin infections and cancer because they lack melanin in their skin.
They rely on handouts from well-wishers to have sunscreen body lotions and creams access to protect their skin and eyes.
People with albinism also face negative attitudes and misunderstanding from their communities, including from their immediate families.
The forms of discrimination faced by persons with albinism are interrelated. Their right to education, for instance, is affected by their vision impairment that usually forces them to drop out of school. A poor level of education, in turn, can lead to unemployment and affect their right to an adequate standard of living, consigning many to perpetual poverty.
The worst expression of discrimination against persons with albinism is their dehumanisation, which lays the foundation for horrifying physical attacks against them.
Online Reporter