The Plight Of Albinos In Africa

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The Holy book (Bible) vividly gave a detailed account of how we (Human beings) are created in God's own image.

As I sit behind my machine cogitating which angle of the above headline to write about; considering the plight of albinos around the globe, the issue of how our brother's (Albinos) also known in our local dialect as (Ofri) are stigmatized against in Africa and around the globe quickly came to mind.

Sometimes, I get extremely surprised when elites, I mean people who ought to know better join other folks in stigmatizing and making some unsubstantiated expositions about Albinos especially in the 21st century in which we believe the world has advanced in terms of civilization.

Albinos are strongly stigmatized in Africa and around the globe with several others raising a lot of perceptions or superstitions about Albinos without any scientific proof.

Albinism also known as achromia or achromatosis is a genetic disorder. Albinism is caused by a mutation in one of the several genes.

It is a range of disorders varying in severity. They are all caused by the reduction of the pigment melanin, often causing white skin, light hair and vision problems.

There are several superstitions about Albinos on the continent of Africa. The common and funny superstition about albinism is some individuals believe they do not die, rather they live and disappears without a trace.

This sound funny. Right?
Albinos are also believed to be killed and used for certan sacrifices in some Africa countries.

OMG!
If this is anything to go by, then I think it is a quandary that society and human right activists must certanly stand up against.

Albinos are not strange people from another planet. They are normal human beings like you and I. It is only genetic disorder that caused them to look the way you and I see them.

Research has revealed the condition affects an estimated 1 in 17,000 people globally. However, its prevalence varies by region.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of albinism is around 1 in 5,000 but, in Europe and America, it is closer to 1 in 20,000.

Albinism affects the sexes evenly and all ethnic groups.

Albinism is no respector of persons. It will happen when it will happen.

Regardless of skin or hair tone, people with albinism always have some level of dysfunction with their vision.

Because melanin normally protects the skin from UV (ultraviolet) damage, people with the disorder are more sensitive to sun exposure and have an increased risk of skin cancer.

Despite the the education and scientific proofs about a albinism, society decided to turn deaf ears to this and go with their perceptions unabatedly. Albinism and necromacy has nothing in common.

This is certainly not the way to go!
They suffer a lot of stigmatization in various sectors especially when it comes to the issue of jobs, marriage, schools, amongst others. Albinos are often mocked by adults and children who often call them names when they see them.

Surely, I think this is not the way to go. Albinos are not devil's incarnate for society to be discriminating against them. Let's draw them closer to us and accept them like our brother's.

Discrimination against Albinos must stop Now!
G/C Felix Kwaku-Dua
www.felixkwakudua.com