SOCIAL Welfare minister Paul Mavima has challenged Zimbabweans to shun discrimination against people living with albinism which he said was still rampant in the country.
Mavima made the remarks during the launch of the “Beyond the Skin Campaign” Manicaland chapter which was hosted by Zimplats and the International World Albinism Day commemoration on June 30 in Mutare.
In a speech read on his behalf by social development and disability affairs chief director in the ministry Edmos Mtetwa, Mavima said people with albinism were not any less important human beings and should be treated equally in communities. “This year’s International World Albinism Day was held globally on June 13, under the theme ‘United in making our voices heard’. According to the United Nations, this theme was chosen because including voices of persons with albinism is essential to ensure equality #Inclusion4equality,” said Mavhima.
“It is critical to celebrate how groups of persons with albinism and individuals increase the visibility of persons with albinism in all domains of life; and to encourage and celebrate unity among groups of persons with albinism.
“It is a fact that people with albinism still face multiple forms of discrimination, and as government, we are happy that through initiatives that companies like Zimplats have launched, more partners are coming on board to drive acceptance of the integration of people with albinism in all spheres of life,” Mavima said
The minister added that the lack of melanin means persons with albinism were highly vulnerable to developing skin cancer.
In some countries, most persons with albinism die from skin cancer between the ages of 30 to 40.
“Skin cancer is highly preventable when persons with albinism enjoy their right to health. This includes access to regular health checks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. In a significant number of countries, these life-saving means are unavailable or inaccessible to them,” he said.
“I understand that through the ‘Beyond the Skin’ campaign, Zimplats managed to engage additional partners who assisted with skin cancer screening and treatment, eye tests and spectacles and distribution of sun protection materials, some of which are here today. The work being done by all the partners is highly commendable.
“The occasion here in Manicaland is a celebration that amplifies the voices and visibility of persons with albinism as well as highlights the work being done by albinism groups both locally and around the world. I would like to urge more organisations to come on board and join the movement. The actual impact on people with albinism will continue when more corporates come on board.”
On her part Zimplats head of corporate affairs, Busi Chindove says the organisation is planning to cover all provinces.
“Zimplats honoured its pledge of extending its ‘Beyond the Skin’ initiative, which seeks to champion the rights of people with albinism, promote their acceptance and their quality of life through the provision of sunscreen lotions and lip balms, among other measures,” said Chindove.
“I am pleased to hear that the sunscreen lotions and lip balms that will be given to people with albinism have been produced locally as part of the company’s local industrialisation and import substitution programme.”
by Rutendo Ngara