Albinism is a genetic mutation affecting millions of people in Africa
– Discrimination and violence against albinos is widespread throughout the continent
– Many have been killed by ritualists for their body parts
“She came back from school that day, looking sad and gloomy. When I asked her what happened she said her schoolmate beat her up because her skin brushed his own on the school veranda my daughter was quiet all through our meal and in the morning when I called for prayers she didn’t join the family.
“The moment I entered her room, she was dead. She committed suicide; my daughter is gone,” Madam Jones told amidst tears.
Many have been ridiculed, maimed, mocked and even killed, while some have committed suicide because they were not accepted by their own people. This is an ongoing and silent trauma suffered by albinos in Africa.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder characterised by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.
It affects all racial types and ethnic groups. Worldwide, 1 in every 17-20,000 people is thought to be an albino, but the prevalence in Africa is much higher, with estimates for the continent ranging from 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 5,000. The figure for Nigeria is estimated to be 1 in 5,000: that is over 3.5 million albinos.
“I am born this way, no regrets. People don’t want to touch me, no issues with that, thank you,” Charles, a Togolese Albino in Uganda, told in French.
Major health challenges
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Skin cancer on the skin of an albino
In reality, albinism cannot be cured, although those living with this condition can live a normal life with a long life span if they protect their eyes and skin from direct sunlight. The lack of pigment in the eyes means albinos are unable to see well in daylight. And their skin needs to be protected at all times from burning by wearing clothes or at the very least applying sunscreen.
Contrary to popular belief, albinos do not have pink eyes. They usually have blue, green, hazel and sometimes brown eyes. The appearance of pink eyes is caused in certain light by the reflection of the back of the eye via a pale iris.
The albinos are susceptible to skin cancer and visual impairment. According to some albinos, the maximum of their stay under the sun is 10 minutes and if more, their skin will burn which will eventually lead to skin cancer.
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Another issue is visual impairment which they have to live with, but the appropriate sunglasses can be used. “I cannot see object far away from me until they move closer. Sometimes I see well with the aid of a medicated glasses,”
Skin cancer is the largest cause of early death among albinos.
Discrimination
“They disgust me and they also smell. I cannot stand an albino. I am so sorry,” a Ghanaian businesswoman who identified herself as Maria told
Maria is one of many Africans who see albinism as a taboo and albinos as disgusting human beings. The albinos can rarely be seen participating openly in social events: rather, they keep with their own kind.
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An albino whose limb has been cut off for rituals in Tanzania. Credit
A manager at a Nigerian bank who pleaded anonymity said she is not interested in them: “We can never employ an albino; do you want to chase customers away from our bank? she asked.
“If I may ask have you ever seen that kind of people in any of the banks in Nigeria? See. Let me tell you something: nobody will employ them; not even as a cleaner. So don’t let us deceive ourselves: it cannot work,” she explained to
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A woman applying sunscreen on the faces of albino children. Credit:
Ben, a freelance journalist from Burundi, told I don’t hate them. They are humans but they should not near me.”
Vendor Sall, a Senegalese albino, told IRIN: “With my job it’s very difficult to sell. It doesn’t work; people don’t want to see us. They’re scared of us. We’re so tired of it. I want a be
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