On December 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. The International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is a global day that aims at advancing the rights of persons with albinism while calling to action for the voices of persons with albinism to be heard.
The year 2024 marks a decade since the launch of International Albinism Awareness Day! This year’s celebration’s theme is “10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress”. On the 13th June 2024, the Organization for Integration and Promotion of People with Albinism (OIPPA) has organized the 10th celebration with key partners to include Disability Rights Fund, USAID, Word Vision, Humanity & Inclusion, CBM, Imbuto Foundation, HAHABLD and others.
National Specific Objectives of IAAD 2024
- Call the government to have mechanism for regular skin cancer screening for persons with albinism in their local area and consider skin cancer in Rwanda health strategic plan.
- Call CSOs and the private sector to be engaged in preventing skin cancer among persons with albinism.
- Mobilize persons with albinism to prevent skin cancer by using skin cream provided by the government.
- Engaging Rwanda Dermatologist Society and district hospitals in preventing and treatment of skin cancer at early stage to reduce mortality caused by this type of cancer.
The event was characterized by a peace march by OIPPA members with albinism, parents of children with albinism, OIPPA board and committees, staff members and stakeholder. In the presence of the Rwanda National Police, the marching members departed at 9:00 AM from Amahoro Stadium heading to the Hilltop Hotel in Remera where the celebration activities were conducted. This march’s intent was to stimulate albinism awareness to the public and appreciating the advocacy achievements towards the wellbeing of persons with albinism in the course of 10 consecutive years since the IAAD was launched by the United Nations.
