Albinism and human rights: From marginalisation to global advocacy
AI Summary
PWAs experience biological, social and structural marginalisation, enduring stigma, violence and exclusion, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rights-based advocacy, often led by PWAs and civil society organisations, reframes albinism as a disability and advances policy reforms and protections.
Sustained change requires multisectoral collaboration, stronger legal protections, inclusive social policies and the amplification of PWA voices.
Afr J Disabil. 2026 Jun 24;15:1874. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v15i0.1874. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Persons with albinism (PWAs) face significant biological, social and structural challenges, particularly in Africa, where entrenched cultural myths and systemic discrimination expose them to violence, stigma and exclusion. Despite increasing recognition of albinism as a disability under international human rights frameworks, PWAs remain marginalised across multiple domains.
OBJECTIVES: This study examines the historical and contemporary experiences of PWAs, tracing the trajectory from marginalisation to advocacy. It seeks to contextualise persistent discrimination, analyse the emergence of rights-based movements and identify effective strategies for inclusion and protection.
METHOD: A qualitative, desktop-based review of secondary sources was conducted, drawing on academic literature, historical texts, human rights reports and case studies. A thematic analysis was applied to explore intersections between historical exclusion, cultural beliefs and contemporary advocacy efforts.
RESULTS: Findings reveal that while albinism has long been associated with stigma and violence, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, recent decades have seen a rise in global and regional advocacy movements. These initiatives, often led by PWAs and civil society organisations, have reframed albinism as a disability and human rights issue, advancing policy reforms, awareness campaigns and protective interventions.
CONCLUSION: The trajectory from marginalisation to advocacy underscores both the persistence of systemic barriers and the transformative potential of rights-based mobilisation. Effective responses require multisectoral collaboration, stronger legal protections, inclusive social policies and the amplification of the voices of PWAs.
CONTRIBUTION: This article integrates historical, biomedical and socio-legal perspectives to frame albinism as a disability and human rights issue, foregrounding advocacy, legal protection, and PWA voices.
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