People with albinism in South Africa are in need of protection against discrimination, hostility, and violence.
Development Diaries reports that people with albinism in the country constantly live in fear for their lives since many countries in southern Africa openly hunt and kill them for their body parts.
This is why Amnesty International and the National Albinism Task Force recently urged the South African government to protect people with albinism following a video shared on YouTube in April 2023 that was spreading misinformation about people with albinism.
In line with Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 (PEPUDA), the video has been described as discriminatory and amounts to ‘hate speech’ against persons with albinism.
According to figures from the National Library of Medicine, one in 4,000 people in southern Africa is plagued by albinism, a prevalent disorder that is still poorly understood and shrouded in superstition and myth.
Persons with albinism in the country often face prejudice, stigma, and social exclusion due to misconceptions and traditional beliefs that associate albinism with superstitions and witchcraft
These misconceptions have perpetuated harmful practices, such as the abduction and mutilation of people with albinism for their body parts, which are believed to possess magical properties.
Besides implementing and enforcing anti-discrimination laws that specifically address the unique challenges faced by these individuals, Development Diaries calls on the South African government to create awareness campaigns to educate the public about albinism and its misconceptions, which can help reduce stigma and promote inclusivity.
Source: Amnesty International
Photo source: OHCHR