International Albinism Awareness Day 2023-2024

13^th June is marked as International Albinism Awareness Day and it aims to raise awareness among people about albinism and the rights of people suffering from the condition. Albinism is a congenital disorder, the cause of which is total or partial lack of melanin in human’s body. People suffering from this disorder are vulnerable to the Sun and bright light and also to the attacks by ignorant people.

International Albinism Awareness Day 2023 Upcoming Events

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for International Albinism Awareness Day for the next 5 years.

International Albinism Awareness Day 2023

International Albinism Awareness Day Significance

With the aim to raise awareness among people about albinism, 13 June is observed as International Albinism Awareness Day. It is important to teach everyone about this condition so that people with albinism do not have to suffer from discrimination and violent reactions from others as they normally do.

History of International Albinism Awareness Day

Many cases about violent attacks and murders of people with albinism were reported in Tanzania in the mid-2000s. Main reason behind these attacks was the superstition that people with albinism possessed magical powers which also led to the killing of 70 people. Due to reasons such as this, many NGOs along with Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) came together for the rights of people with albinism. A resolution was also brought on 26 June 2014 by the Human Rights Council to observe June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day. The resolution was adopted on 18 December 2014 and since 2015, it is observed every year globally.

Theme for International Albinism Awareness Day 2023

In the year 2022, the theme for International Albinism Awareness Day was “United in making our voice heard”. The reasons behind this theme were multifold. It was to encourage and celebrate unity between the groups of persons living with albinism, to include voices of persons with albinism to ensure equality, etc. the theme for International Albinism Awareness Day 2023 has not been decided yet.

How to observe International Albinism Awareness Day

To celebrate the International Albinism Awareness Day, you can start by spreading awareness about the same.  You can work with different organizations working for the same cause. If you ever find someone abusing against people with albinism, you can take a stand for them and report the abuser. Many hashtags and events run on social media in the support of people with albinism, you can join the cause there.

Facts about Albinism You Must Know

Here are some lesser known facts about albinism that you should know. You can also share them with your friends and acquaintances to spread awareness about albinism and people with albinism.

1. Irrespective of ethnicity or gender, albinism is a genetic condition and can happen to anyone.
2. People with albinism are vulnerable to sun exposure, which can also cause skin cancer and severe visual impairment.
3. 1 in every 5000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa and 1 in every 20000 people in Europe and North America have albinism.
4. Most people use the term albino as opposed to “person with albinism”, which is often considered derogatory.
5. People with albinism are often prone to discrimination, violence and even killings, especially children, elderly and women.
6. Due to their physical appearance, people with albinism are often objected to myths and inaccurate beliefs, which is the major reason for violent attacks against them.
7. Over 200 reports of killings and dismembering people with albinism was received by the UN Human Rights Office between 2000 and 2013. These cases were reported in over 15 countries and the reason was for ritual purposes.
8. In movies also, people with albinism are portrayed as villains, demons or freaks of nature, which is totally inaccurate.

FAQs

Question 1: Is there any difference created by observing International Albinism Awareness Day?

Answer: Due to raising awareness about albinism and people with albinism in the recent years, albino murders dropped from 22 in 2008 to 11 in 2015.

Question 2: When was the first International Albinism Awareness Day celebrated?

Answer: The first International Albinism Awareness Day celebrated was celebrated in 2015 after the declaration for the same was passed in 2014.

Question 3: What was the previous years’ theme for International Albinism Awareness Day?

Answer: The theme for 2021 observation was “Strength Beyond All Odds”, and for 2022 the theme was “United in making our voice heard”.