The day that is aimed at advocating their rights was instituted by the UN on June 13, 2013.

Persons with albinism in the economic capital joined that of the international community yesterday to commemorate the second edition of the International Albinism Awareness Day. The day is celebrated on the theme: “Together we can end human rights violation against persons with albinism”. While in many parts of the world, awareness and human rights situation of persons with albinism remains limited, albinos opine that the day is celebrated at a time where they are still rejected, discriminated upon and when their fundamental human rights are still trampled upon.

According to the President of the Association Female Albinos in Cameroon, Marie Madeleine Wafo, their health is fragile thus need to be taken care of free of charge in hospitals. “Most albinos die of cancer because they lack the means for treatment. If government can issue us health cards to be treated freely in hospitals, it will go a long way to reduce mortality rate,” she said. Away from health card, they are rejected by the society and discriminated upon.

When it comes to job opportunity, Madeleine Wafo holds that they are often marginalised and seldom employed because of their colour. As they yearn for social inclusion, they plead on the government to facilitate their insertion by creating a professional centre and offering free education to them. Though they don’t regret being albinos they want to be treated and live a life like any other citizen.

During a weeklong activities to mark the day, the association of female albinos organised a round table conference on burning issues, a press conference, a trade fair, free medical consultation, a gala night and the election of Miss and Mister Albinos 2016 that was carried by 25-year-old Regina Ngozi and 20-year-old Franck  Pieuguen.