Published by: Nibandh Vinod
Last updated: June 12, 2023, 7:52 PM IST
International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: Albinos suffer from visual impairments and have a tendency to get skin cancer. (Image: Shutterstock)
International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: The theme for this year’s celebration is “Inclusion is Strength”
INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY 2023: Albinism is an inherited genetic disorder that leads to the absence of melanin production in the body. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our hair, skin and eyes. Its absence makes our skin, hair and eyes look white or yellowish and makes us vulnerable to the sun and bright light sources. Albinos suffer from visual impairments and have a tendency to get skin cancer. They are also often ostracized from society due to various misconceptions about albinism. Below we look at the theme of the day, its history and its significance.
International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: Theme
The theme of this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day celebration is “Inclusion is Strength.” The theme is an extension of the 2022 theme, ‘United in Raising Our Voices’, which emphasized raising awareness of albinism. The 2023 theme focuses on the importance of inclusion of not only people of all races and ethnicities affected by albinism, but also youth, women, children, the elderly and LGBTQ+ communities.
The theme also emphasizes the need to seek cooperation with various groups, including human rights groups not directly involved in the albinism movement.
International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: History
Albinism was a serious problem in Tanzania in the mid-2000s. Tanzanian medicine men killed albinos to use their body parts for superstitious spells. The Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs campaigned for the human rights of albinos and celebrated the first albino on May 4, 2006. From 2009 it became known as National Albino Day.
The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted its first resolution on albinism on June 13, 2013, entitled “Attacks and Discrimination Against Persons With Albinism”. Finally, on 18 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 13 June International Albinism Day. The celebration has been taking place since 2015 as International Albinism Awareness Day.
International Albinism Awareness Day 2023: Meaning
Albinos have faced kidnappings and attacks in Madagascar until 2022. International Albinism Day celebrations are needed each year to condemn such attacks and continue the fight to secure the human rights of albino people around the world.