International Albinism Awareness Day

International Albinism Awareness Day

  • The International Albinism awareness Day is celebrated globally on June 13.
  • It is celebrated to educate everyone about the rights of people with albinism.
  • This is the fifth anniversary of International Albinism Awareness Day.
  • The theme of International albinism Awareness Day 2020 is – “Made to shine” .
International albinism awareness day

Overview

  • This day is an appeal to stand in solidarity with the people dealing with this condition.
  • Albinism is a condition which is -
    • Rare
    • Non-contagious
    • Genetically inherited
  • It is found in all countries irrespective of background and culture.
  • This is characterized by lack of melanin in the eyes, skin and hair which makes them prone to bright light and sun.
  • There is no cure or treatment for the absence of pigmentation that is dominant in albinism.
  • There have been incidents of violent attacks on people with albinism in Tanzania in the mid-2000s.
  • It was believed that the people with albinism had magical powers, so they were preyed upon.
  • The Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs pushed for the rights of albinos after around 70 were murdered and many more were hurt in 2015.
  • On May 4,2006, the first Albino Day was celebrated.
  • The first ever resolution on albinism was adopted by the Human Rights Council on June 13,2013.
  • The council recommended June 13, as International Albinism Awareness Day.
  • 2014 onwards, the day was made official.

Examrace Team at Aug 21, 2021