On October 4th 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia, the Africa Albinism Network (AAN) in collaboration with Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia (CHSZ) and with the support of Liliane Fonds, announced the launch of a groundbreaking three-year project aimed to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with albinism in Zambia. This initiative will focus on improving access to healthcare, education, and legal protection in four provinces in the country, namely Luapula, Northern Province, Eastern Province, and Muchinga. There will also be several overcharging positive impacts for persons with albinism across the country in the areas of access to justice and the creation of a National Action Plan on albinism.
Persons with albinism in Zambia continue to face extreme threats to their safety and well-being due to harmful myths and misinformation. The erroneous belief that the body parts of individuals with albinism bring good fortune has led to physical attacks and violence against persons with albinism particularly in the four provinces targeted. In addition to the threat of physical harm, people with albinism are frequently denied equal access to healthcare to tackle skin cancer in the face of climate change, education, and justice.
A Critical Moment for Change
The conditions in Zambia for supporting people with albinism have never been more favorable. President Hakainde Hichilema has recently pledged public support for people with albinism, and several individuals from this community have been appointed to key government positions. Now is the time for decisive action.
In this project, AAN will work towards the following objectives:
- The development of a National Action Plan (NAP), a strategic framework adopted by the Government to address the specific challenges faced by persons with albinism in Zambia and which aims to promote the rights, health, safety, and well-being of persons with albinism. The NAP is part of a larger framework modeled on the African Union’s Regional Action Plan (2021-2023), which has been successfully adopted and implemented in countries such as Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, and Uganda.
- Capacity Development and Strategic Advocacy to empower local albinism groups to enable their leadership role in developing and implementing the NAP.
- Legal Protection to ensure access to justice for victims of violence and ensures accountability through official reporting, investigation, and prosecuting perpetrators to reduce attacks on persons with albinism.
Sustainable Solutions for Long-term Impact
This three-year project is the type of work we encourage because it ensures deeper and more long-lasting change for persons with albinism. By working hand-in-hand with Civil Society Organizations and stakeholders in Zambia, we will strive to create a future where all individuals with albinism in Zambia can live free from fear and have full access to priorities including health, education, and access to justice.
