With effect from 2015, 13th of June has been proclaimed and adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as “International Albinism Awareness Day”. This decision was reached on 19 November 2014.
The decision was taken following the recommendation by the Human Rights Council in its Resolution that the General Assembly proclaim 13 June “International Albinism Awareness Day”. It was on this day in 2013 that the UN adopted its first ever resolution on albinism.
“We are very pleased that we finally are getting heard, and our plight is beginning to be addressed. Too many people with Albinism have suffered through being victimised, abused, maimed and killed in various parts of the world. But mostly on the African continent,” said Albinism Society of South Africa vice chairman Sanele Mtshazo.
He said the struggle for more than 15 years by organisations around the world like the Albinism Society of South Africa advocating for People with Albinism in communities, schools and government is beginning to bear fruit. “This is a historic resolution because People with Albinism now have a unique platform to raise awareness worldwide! Mtshazo said.”
The United Nations has invited all Member States, organisations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organisations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations and individuals, to observe International Albinism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner.
