DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM II

Last week we began a conversation about people with albinism and we shared some few thoughts about the perceptions many have regarding them.

The intention is to dispel some common stereotypes and empower families not to discriminate against family members with albinism. If the family gets it right, the community will get it right and eventually the entire nation will have a better perception of people with albinism. Renowned American Statesman Thomas Jefferson, during the beginning of the American Revolution in 1776, penned the words; “All men are created equal.” So true are these words uttered centuries ago; we are all equal before the eyes of the creator because we each bear His image.

Tragedy

It is a tragedy that we see each other with varying perceptions; it is not the perfection or imperfection of the body that should be the measure of our equality or lack of it. That child born with albinism is a blessing from the Lord, s/he is to be celebrated and loved like any other child. Do not limit his or her potential by the way you treat and raise them, they too are the future of this beautiful nation, they too can bring and be part of the economic, political and social solutions. Last week we talked about ritual killings of people with albinism – these killings are deep rooted in the belief that they have supernatural powers which can help cure evasive illnesses like HIV/AIDS. Such a belief is dangerous and makes girls with albinism susceptible to being raped even by those who are supposed to protect them – thus killing them emotionally. Rape can have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of the survivor, particularly if it is a repeated occurrence by close relatives. Rape is a traumatic violation of personhood and this puts rape survivors at high risk of developing substance abuse disorders, major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders, among others. People with albinism do not have healing or magical powers, just like those without albinism.

Inhuman

MaSwati, let us stop the inhuman ill-treatment of people with albinism, exposing them to all sorts of danger for our own selfishness and self-centeredness. The human body is not for making muti, therefore, by implication; the body of a person with albinism is also not material for such evil. Parents and guardians, guard your children and be vigilant – know who is around your children and listen to your child when she informs you that an adult is forcing himself/herself on her/him. This is a tragedy, the rape cases are alarming maSwati, let’s all play our part in protecting the future of our children. You may not kill them physically, but may be responsible for the demise of your child’s bright future because you failed to protect him/her from those instigating harm against them. The truth is, our children need us to create that safe space for them to flourish and be the best that they can be. Just because your child is living with albinism, does not mean you have to hide him/her or restrict them from reaching out for their dreams. Love them equally and do not be overly protective – know the risky exposures emanating from some of these stereotypes and do the best to keep them safe. Creating an enabling environment for children with albinism will set them up for future success in a rather discriminating world.

People with albinism are subjected to a lot of discrimination; often in schools, they face both systemic and non-systemic discrimination. Systemic in the sense that their specific needs are often not taken into consideration, for example, because of their poor eyesight, a teacher’s writing on the board must be reasonably visible for them to fully participate.

Subjected

It can be non-systemic in the sense that they are subjected to bullying and name-calling by fellow pupils because pupils are not engaged on the prevailing stereotypes and perceptions towards people with albinism. Such discrimination is common even in some workplaces by the employer, fellow employees and clients alike – some employees do not want to share a workstation with a colleague with albinism and some clients do not want to be served by a person with albinism. Sadly, even in places of worship, people with albinism are discriminated against – because of their condition, they are rarely chosen to occupy positions of high influence, instead, they are regarded as inferior. They struggle to get life partners (marriage) because the potential partners fear that children born out of that wedlock might be born with albinism. Although a person with albinism carries the genes for albinism, the potential spouse may not have that gene and therefore children born out of that union will only be carriers. Let us treat people with albinism with respect as we are not more human than they are. Let us have these conversations with our children and correct the myths surrounding people with albinism. Send comments to adminsec@mbac.co.sz

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