June 13th is International Albinism Awareness Day

Are you an albino or you have one as child or sibling?or even as friends? Today is a day to celebrate yourself or them and educate others that being an Albino is not an illness or a crime.

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. 

What is albinism? 
As per National Institutes of Health Albinism is a non-communicable, rare and genetically inherited difference present at birth. Albinism is categorized by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes, causing vulnerable to the exposure of the sun. Due to which many people with albinism are visually impaired and are inclined to develop skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism. 

The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.

There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.

"Made To Shine" is the theme for this year's International Albinism Awareness Day. The theme was chosen to celebrate the achievements and successes of persons with albinism worldwide.

It is also a call to stand in solidarity with people with albinism through their challenges. In this unprecedented time, people with albinism continue to suffer all types of human rights violations.

Recently, in some countries, they have been branded “Corona” or “COVID-19” in an attempt to scapegoat them for the pandemic. Killings, attacks, bullying, dehumanizing stigma and discrimination continue against people with albinism. Yet on this day, we are reminded that in spite of these horrific practices, people with albinism continue to defy odds, overcome hurdles and face up to injustices with resilience.

Today, we stand together with people with albinism all over the world in their fight to live a life that is free of stigma, discrimination, fear and violence. A world where they are made to shine.