International Albinism Awareness Day - 13 June.

Every year on June 13th, International Albinism Awareness Day celebrates the rights of human beings born with albinism and aims to increase awareness and understanding of this genetic condition.

What is albinism?

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.

According to the National Institutes of Health, albinism is a rare disease. Throughout the world, one in 20,000 people have albinism. The disorder is most prevalent in parts of Africa. About one in four people in South Africa have albinism. In Tanzania, it’s believed that as many as one in 1,400 could have the genetic condition.

In 2013, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution that called for the prevention of discrimination against persons with albinism. On December 18, 2014, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. The first observance was in 2015.

2022 Theme - "United in making our voice heard".

The theme was chosen:

• because including voices of persons with albinism is essential to ensure equality #Inclusion4equality;
• to celebrate how groups of persons with albinism and individuals increase the visibility of persons with albinism in all domains of life;
• to encourage and celebrate unity among groups of persons with albinism;
• to amplify the voices and visibility of persons with albinism in all areas of life;
• to highlight the work being done by albinism groups around the world.

Source: www.un.org

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