Welcome to our new advisory board members!
Moussa Djaffar Elkadhum, fondly called “Moussa or Mussa,” is a retired United Nations professional who, since 1992, has served in senior roles as the UNESCO Representative in Mozambique (2014–2018) and Namibia (2018–2023). Active in albinism advocacy, he contributed to formulating the African Union Plan of Action on Albinism. We are happy to have him on board.
Thando Hopa, a global advocate for diversity, has a multifaceted career. Through her activism, she has contributed to United Nations policy discussions on albinism in the SADC region. She is also recognized as one of the BBC’s top 100 inspirational women and helped establish the Global Albinism Alliance. We are happy to have her on board.
We extend our profound appreciation to former advisory board members Flávia Pinto and Franck Hounsa for their valuable contributions to the team. We are pleased to announce that they will continue their pivotal roles as language liaisons within the Network, ensuring excellence in our language support efforts.
ADVOCACY UPDATES:
- AAN at #COP28 in Dubai!
Our Advocacy Manager, Kwame Andrews Daklo, attended COP28 in Dubai last week. Read his account on how he advocated for including people with albinism in climate change discussions. He shares his reflections at the world’s largest climate change gathering.
- Our Insights from the Disability Rights in Africa Conference
In November 2023, AAN had the opportunity to join disability rights advocates from all over Africa at the 11th Annual Disability Rights in Africa conference in South Africa. We made strong recommendations to develop educational systems adapted to climate disruptions to ensure continued access and support for students with albinism, including uniforms that cover the whole body from sun exposure.
11th Annual Disability Rights in Africa Conference https://t.co/p1Rlchv9iE
— CentreForHumanRights (@CHR_HumanRights) November 20, 2023
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Joint Submission in Response to the Call for Inputs: Persons with Albinism and the Rights to Education
In November 2023, AAN collaborated with albinism organizations from Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia for a joint submission concerning the rights to education for persons with albinism.
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AAN at the 77th Session of the ACHPR
In October 2023, AAN was represented by Tanzanian albinism human rights defender, Yumna Mmanga Omar Dadi, at the 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) in Arusha, Tanzania.
She presented a statement (English only) urging member states of the African Union to:
- Implement the AU Plan of Action on albinism
- Safeguard human rights defenders with albinism
- Appoint an AU Envoy on albinism.
(In English only. You may use the subtitles tool on YouTube to access the same in French and Portuguese)
AAN welcomes the opportunity to submit these reports for consideration.Should you be willing to contribute to future reports, please contact us at info@africaalbinismnetwork.org
AROUND THE NETWORK:
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Mothering & Albinism Engagement Workshop in South Africa
AAN joined the network of scholars and advocates from multiple disciplinary fields in South Africa as co-leads of the Mothering & Albinism project from October 2 – 4, 2023. The goal was to share knowledge and ultimately promote action for the enjoyment of human rights by women impacted by albinism.
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National Action Plan development Support for the South Africa National Albinism Task Force (NATF)
In October 2023, AAN worked with the leaders of the NATF to equip them with the strategic information and tools necessary to develop their National Action Plan on albinism effectively. A central focus was to guide the NATF leaders to align their NAP on albinism with the African Union Plan of Action on Albinism as well as share the NAP development experiences of Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. Read the Blog 
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Human Rights Training Workshop for Lusophone HRDs with Albinism
On the 5th and 6th of October, we provided training at a workshop for Human Rights Defenders (HRD) representing organizations supporting people with albinism in Portuguese-speaking African countries. Organized by the UN Independent Expert on Albinism in collaboration with UNESCO Mozambique.
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Championing Albinism Rights in Namibia
AAN commemorated the 2023 National Albinism Day in Namibia with UNESCO Namibia, ordinarily celebrated on the 23rd of October each year, by co-organizing a Stakeholder Engagement and Learning Forum for Albinism Human Rights Defenders from the 7th to 10th of November 2023 with about 23 human rights defenders with albinism in Namibia.
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Webinar: Prioritizing Rights to Health of Persons with Albinism in the Context of Climate Change
Climate change poses an existential risk for people with albinism. Comprehensive research shows that the lack of crucial health support plays a pivotal role in the alarming death rate due to skin cancer.
Did you miss this webinar where we delved into a crucial conversation on the right to health of persons with albinism within the context of climate change?
Not to worry; watch the full webinar below.
IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
- Attacks
Since our last quarterly newsletter in September 2023, a new case of attack was reported in Madagascar. 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.
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Brazil Adopts a National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for People with Albinism
On November 9th, 2023, Ministry of Health and social movements adopted a National Health Policy for People with Albinism in Brazil with the advocacy of the National Health Council. There are about about 21,000 Brazilians with albinism according to the Ministry. The policy aims to improve care for people with albinism, who often face health complications like skin cancer and require specialized care. The plan includes training health workers and ensuring comprehensive care, integrating prevention, and treatment.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
- Congratulations are in order for Stukie Motsa from Eswatini
Stukie Motsa (picture to the right) was appointed by King Mswati III to the House of Senate in Eswatini. Her voice in the Senate will undoubtedly contribute to policies that promote equality, understanding, and support for the albinism community.
- Congratulations to Mr. and Ms. Albinism Southern Africa!
We congratulate Mr. Ntandoyenkosi Mnkandla (Zimbabwe) and Ms. Andreia Solange Sicato Muhitu (Angola) for being crowned the winners of this year’s Mr. and Miss Albinism Southern Africa. The journey to this victory inspires many, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes along the way.
- Congratulations are in order for Yumna Mmanga Omar Dadi
Yumna Mmanga Omar Dadi (right) , from Tanzania, was awarded the Women in Young Achievers Year Award 2023. This prestigious award serves as a testament to her accomplishments. We celebrate her achievements and look forward to witnessing the continued impact she will undoubtedly make in the years to come.
- Congratulations to Kerim Abdoul-Nassirou Boukari
Congratulations to Kerim Abdoul-Nassirou Boukari, a member of the Togo National Albinism Association (ANAT), on his Master’s in Project Management at Senghor University, Egypt. His commitment to academic excellence is truly commendable, and there is confidence that his skills and knowledge will pave the way for more impact in the albinism movement. Read his thesis on the “Contribution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the Sustainability of Health Projects in Africa: Case of the Albivoire Project in Côte d’Ivoire.” (French only).
AAN wishes you happy holidays!
As the year draws to a close, AAN would like to thank all our funding partners and collaborators for supporting another successful year advocating for the protection and promotion of the human rights of people with albinism. Let us embrace the coming year with renewed hope and determination.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Your suport helps people with albnism in Africa to protect themselves. Donate here
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