Strategy

African Union Plan of Action on Albinism  (2021-2031)

The tables in the Plan of Action set out the activities necessary to achieve the goals of the Plan of Action. The overall time frame is 10 years, from 2021 to 2031.

In the first place, the responsible entities are member states, ministries, partner organizations, and other stakeholders, which may differ from country to country.

Indicators and possible data sources are included in the Plan of Action. It is believed that by illuminating the different components of action in this manner, policy planners and implementers will be assisted in adapting the Plan of Action to the specific context, country, or region.

History of the African Union Plan of Action (2021-2031)

Context

Since 2006, nearly 800 attacks and other violations against persons with albinism have been reported across 28 countries in the Africa region. These numbers reflect a major threat to the right to life of persons with albinism on the continent. This is only the tip of the iceberg, as many other cases go unreported. In an effort to combat these violations, including alleviating preconditions that facilitate violence, the United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, in collaboration with various African Union mechanisms, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as other international development partners, contributed to the development of a Regional Action Plan, the precursor to the current Plan of Action to End Attacks and Other Human Rights Violations Targeting Persons with Albinism in Africa (Plan of Action 2021-2031).

Main landmarks

The Regional Action Plan (2017-2021) was the first-ever regional mechanism to proactively address eradicating discrimination and violence against persons with albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its overarching objective was to monitor the true impact of efforts to protect and integrate persons with albinism by multiple stakeholders across Africa. In particular, the plan consisted of specific measures to realize the enjoyment of peace and human rights by persons with albinism. The Plan had four main pillars that have been carried over into the current AU Plan of Action. These are: prevention, protection, accountability, and equality & non-discrimination. The AU also created a Special Envoy on Albinism to ensure implementation of the Plan of Action.