People living with albinism suffer many rights abuses in Nigeria: TANA
The Albino Network Association (TANA) on Friday cried out over the continuous denial of the fundamental rights of people living with albinism (PWA) in Nigeria.
Jaiyeola Fatugase, the chairman of TANA who spoke at a press briefing held ahead of the 2021 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), said that PWAs constantly denied access to good and affordable health care services, less expensive education and employment opportunities.
“Though in Nigeria, killing and maiming of Persons living with Albinism is rare, the stigma associated with the condition is debilitating. Many of our members are denied their fundamental human rights, which I will highlight shortly,” Fatugase said in Lagos.
He lamented that PWAs were suffering double jeopardy of discrimination as a result of their colour and visual impairment.
“As a result of the associated problem of visual impairment, PWAs suffer a double jeopardy of discrimination based on their colour and Visual Impairment,” he said.
“For Women with Albinism, the discrimination they suffer is further heightened due to their gender and the prevailing patriarchal culture in our society.”
According to him, PWAs in Africa have a lower life expectancy as a result of their proneness to contracting skin cancer and practices in the region.
Mr Fatugase implored both the federal and state government to interface with private sector and all government Agencies to make their programs and policies include PWAs.
However, the United Nation, in a study on Albinism identified Africa as the continent where physical attacks against persons with albinism are prevalent.
The study detailed that hundreds of cases of attacks and killings of persons with albinism were reported in 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the last decade.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 4
Google sacks 28 employees for protesting consulting contract with Israel
The company further noted that the demonstrations were staged “by a group of organisations and people who largely don’t work at Google.”
Heading 3
Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda showing positive results in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges: Ribadu
We are not out of the woods yet but we have made serious progress in pushing down casualty figures
Sport
Aston Villa, Fiorentina through to Conference League semifinals
Aston Villa defeated French side Lille on penalties
World
UN launches $2.8 billion flash appeal for Palestine
“Humanitarian organisations must have safe and sustained access to all people in need across the Gaza Strip and West Bank.”
Abuja
NAFDAC raids Sahad stores, others in Abuja for allegedly selling counterfeit products
He said the team equally raided Wuse Market on Wednesday, where goods worth millions were seized.
Africa
Botswana churches kick against gay rights proposal
A cleric expressed his disappointment at the development in amending the constitution.