Petition to the World Health Organization (WHO) to Re-Add Sunscreen to the Essential Medicines List
To mark the 10th anniversary of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) 2024, the Africa Albinism Network (AAN) is requesting your support in signing the petition below urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to re-add sunscreen to the list of essential medicines. By including sunscreen/sun blockers on the list, we can ensure it becomes more widely available and affordable for people with albinism, especially in Africa.
The current United Nations Independent Expert on albinism is leading the process to have the WHO reinstate sunscreen on the list, and we are supporting this process with the petition.
Lend your voice to this life-saving effort.
ADVOCACY UPDATES:
- AAN at the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
In April 2024, AAN participated in the 43rd Ordinary Session of the ACERWC in Maseru, Lesotho. This session was special because the ACERWC Committee decided to have a Day of General Discussion on children with albinism.
Days of General Discussion are rare, and this was the first time that day-long attention was set aside to discuss finding solutions to the challenges faced by children with albinism in Africa. The Day was obtained, thanks to the advocacy of the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Ms. Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond.
Read the blog at the link below, to learn more about the discussions and outcomes of this significant event.
- Statement to the 79th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR)
In May 2024, AAN presented a Statement at the 79th ACHPR Session in Banjul, Gambia, drawing the commission’s attention to the human rights situation of persons with albinism in Africa, particularly their rights to education.
Persons with albinism often face stigma and discrimination in educational settings, leading to a lack of access to learning due to the absence of reasonable accommodation, bullying, name-calling, and psychological trauma. Such hostile environments often inhibit their ability to access education without barriers and in peace and these in turn, can seriously compromise their employability, and consequently their socio-economic and physical security.
Read the Statement (in English only)
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Webinar: Breaking Stigmas on Albinism and Building Support
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), AAN’s Advocacy Manager, Kwame Andrews Daklo, joined other prominent albinism leaders from Nigeria at a thought-provoking webinar hosted by Prime Progress, a media outlet documenting how people are responding to social problems in Nigeria. The event featured discussions on the advancements and ongoing challenges faced by the albinism community over the past decade.
Don’t miss the insights shared by these leaders.
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AAN at the 56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC)
This video is in English only. You may use YouTube’s subtitles tool to access it in French and Portuguese.
In June 2024, AAN submitted a statement at the 56th Session of the HRC in Geneva, Switzerland in response to the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change. In the Statement, AAN called on all member states of the United Nations particularly the African governments to adhere to and implement the recommendations outlined in the current report by the Special Rapporteur and the report by the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism on the Impact of climate change on persons with albinism.
Should you be willing to contribute to future reports, please contact us at info@africaalbinismnetwork.org
AROUND THE NETWORK:
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AAN’s Participation at the 2024 Global Linking and Learning Festival, Thailand
In April 2024, AAN supported the participation of two organizations, Divine Connexion Worldwide from Benin Republic and Beyond Inclusion from Tanzania (who represented the Africa Albinism Network) at the Global Linking and Learning Festival in Thailand.
The festival, jointly organized by The Constellation and Voice Global, brought together grantee partners from 14 countries across Asia and Africa. This year’s theme: “Nothing About Us Without Us – Now Us!” emphasized the importance of inclusive self-led advocacy.
“The Festival allows me to confirm that the best thing to do is to celebrate the things that were done well, to celebrate the outcomes of the action, and to come up with ways of how to improve.” – Franck Hounsa, Founder and President of Divine Connexion Worldwide
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First Ever Forum for Women Impacted by Albinism: The AAN Women’s Learning Forum 2024
From May 28th to 30th, 2024, AAN welcomed women leaders from albinism groups across 17 African countries to Nairobi, Kenya, for an immersive and holistic three-day Forum.
This Forum was a first of its kind because never in Africa’s history have so many women impacted by albinism gathered in one space to network, learn, share, and exchange their experiences with such passion and determination.
The Forum’s context, purpose, program, and successes are detailed in the blog at the link below.
You can also read the full Forum report here.
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Meet the Author/Advocate: Seminar Series Hosted by Mothering & Albinism, South Africa
In June 2024, AAN’s Advocacy Manager, Kwame Andrews Daklo was a guest speaker at a seminar with student interns hosted by the Mothering & Albinism team. The seminar sessions were designed to equip interns with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with albinism and inspire them to become proactive advocates.
Kwame shared his experience in Human Rights Advocacy by providing practical insights about his advocacy work. The interns learned how to leverage their skills to support the albinism community.
Interested in Exploring our Resource Page?
Check out our rich library of more than 500 resources, including French and Portuguese materials, and find ways to impact the albinism community positively.
IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
- Attacks
Since our last quarterly newsletter in March 2024, new cases of attack have been reported in Tanzania. We condemn these crimes in the strongest terms and call for immediate protection measures, including the implementation of the AU Plan of Action on Albinism.
To report a case, fill out this form: AAN Incident Report Form in English, French, Portuguese
Download: New Case of Attack in English, French, Portuguese
- New Report: Persons with Albinism and their Right to Health, Education, and Employment in the United Kingdom (UK)
This report examines the situation of people with albinism in the UK, particularly their right to health and access to healthcare. It also explores the extent to which persons with albinism can access education and secure employment, both of which are also human rights and help support the health and well-being of all persons worldwide.
- Global Call to Action: to End Skin Cancer Epidemic in Persons with Albinism
In many regions of the world – mainly in the tropics, many persons with albinism (PWAs) develop skin cancer before 30, with some even developing in childhood.
Through a series of calls to action, the Global Albinism Alliance is urging the World Health Organization (WHO), ministries of health of national governments, policymakers, scientific societies, doctors and other health professionals, patient advocacy groups, and organizations of persons with albinism to take 10 actions aimed at preventing the premature deaths of persons with albinism from skin cancer.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
- Congratulations to Tianarivelo Gilardy Totozandandry on his appointment as a youth advocate for UNICEF Madagascar. We celebrate his achievements and look forward to witnessing the continued impact he will undoubtedly make in the years to come.
- Congratulations to Olive Namutebi on the launch of her book titled “The Red Diamond”. The book tells the courageous and inspiring story of Olive, who was a product of a teenage pregnancy and faced numerous challenges growing up in Uganda. Her birth brought about unexpected disruptions to her family’s plans, and her skin without melanin due to albinism only worsened the situation. To compound matters, the young engineer who fathered the child was quick to deny responsibility. Despite the odds against her, the story celebrates the strength and determination of Olive and her single mother to change their narrative and challenge adversity to achieve a better life.
- Showmax Premiers a show titled “One Weeks” casting a girl with albinism: One Weeks is a South African family situational comedy series about Fana, a charming high-school dropout from the streets of Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating Lihle – a very successful lawyer. Watch the trailer here
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
Your gift will help AAN support albinism groups and human rights defenders with albinism through capacity development so they can protect themselves from harm and access their rights to justice, health, education, and inclusion.
A gift of any amount will help and is a show of solidarity. Together, we can build an inclusive world for persons with albinism, free from brutality and discrimination. Donate here
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