SLAFo JOINS THE WORLD TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY
The Sierra Leone Albinism Foundation (SLAFo) joins the world today in commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) with the theme MADE TO SHINE
The theme was chosen to celebrate the achievements and successes of Persons With Albinism (PWA) worldwide. It is also a call to stand in solidarity with PWA through their challenges. In this unprecedented time, PWA continue to suffer all types of human rights violations. Recently, in some countries, they have been branded “Corona” or “COVID-19” in an attempt to scapegoat them for the pandemic. Killings, attacks, bullying, dehumanizing stigma and discrimination continue against PWA.
Yet on this day, we are reminded that in spite of these horrific practices, PWA continue to defy odds, overcome hurdles and face up to injustices with resilience.
Today, we stand together with PWA all over the world in the fight to live a life that is free of stigma, discrimination, fear and violence. A world where we are made to shine.
This day came about after Canadian NGO Under the Same Sun (UTSS) joined late Ambassador of the Mission of Somalia to the United Nations (UN), Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari , in his effort to pass a resolution promoting and protecting the rights of PWA. Such a resolution came about when the Human Rights Council on June 13, 2013 adopted the first resolution ever on albinism.
Later on, in its resolution 26/10 of June 26, 2014, the Human Rights Council recommended June 13 to be proclaimed as International Albinism Awareness Day by the
United Nations’ General Assembly . The UN’s General Assembly, then, adopted on December 18, 2014 resolution 69/170 to proclaim, with effect from 2015, June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day.
The chosen date is reminiscent of the UN’s first ever resolution which was passed on June 13 a year before.
Today, IAAD is celebrated around the world from Tanzania, to Argentina, to Senegal, to Fiji, France, the United Kingdom Namibia, Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone.
We want to shine by seeing PWA coming from their hiding places. We want to shine by seeing the government made more laws that will protect us. We want to shine by seeing special attention being given to us in Schools. We want to shine by having better attention interns of health and we want to shine by seeing us not being called derogatory names.
As part of the celebration this year, SLAFo have done so many media engagements. However, to climax the day, we will be on SLBC TV and AYV TV at 3 PM simultaneously today to talk about the significance of the day, the challenges that PWA are going through, what is expected of duty bearers and how we should strive as PWA to shine.
SLAFo envisages an inclusive society where everyone is treated equally irrespective of skin colour or any other difference.
INCLUSION MATTERS
Supported by OSIWA
© SLAFo Secretariat – 49 Circular Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone
