11th Celebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD 2025)
The Organization for Integration and Promotion of Persons with Albinism (OIPPA), in partnership with Health Alert Organization (HAO) and Hand In Hand for Development (HIHD), is honored to announce the 11th celebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD 2025), to be held on June 13, 2025, at Hilltop Country Club Hotel in Remera-Giporoso.
This year’s global theme, “Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives,” echoes the collective voice of persons with albinism across the globe. It is a resounding call for recognition, inclusion, and urgent action to combat one of the most life-threatening challenges faced by this community, especially skin cancer.
Significance of IAAD 2025
Since its adoption by the United Nations in 2014, the International Albinism Awareness Day has served as a vital platform for raising awareness of the human rights challenges faced by persons with albinism and for advocating for systemic change in health, education and social inclusion. This year marks more than a decade of unwavering advocacy led by OIPPA and its partners in Rwanda.
Rooted in the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), this celebration reinforces the global commitment to upholding the dignity, safety, and rights of all persons with albinism. Articles 25 and 26 of the Convention, which call for equal access to health and habilitation services, are especially pertinent to the goals of this year’s observance.
Key Advocacy Focus: Combating Skin Cancer
The most urgent issue that will be highlighted during IAAD 2025 is the fight against skin cancer, which disproportionately affects persons with albinism due to their lack of melanin protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Despite heightened awareness, access to early detection and treatment services remains limited in Rwanda.
OIPPA, HAO and HIHD will use this platform to strongly advocate to the Government of Rwanda to reinforce early detection and treatment measures for skin cancer at all district hospitals. The organizations are urging the Ministry of Health to:
- Equip district hospitals with dermatological screening and biopsy services
- Train medical professionals in early skin cancer detection specific to persons with albinism
- Launch awareness campaigns on the importance of skin protection in collaboration with community health workers, ....
Recognizing Progress and Government Engagement
The Rwandan Ministry of Health has taken meaningful steps in recent years to support persons with albinism. Notably:
- Provision of free dermatological consultations through outreach camps organized in partnership with civil society organizations like Health Alert Organization.
- Inclusion of sun lotions in essential health care supplies for persons with albinism in health centers using CBHI.
- Support for nationwide awareness campaigns about albinism-related health risks, particularly through the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).
These initiatives mark commendable progress and reflect the government’s willingness to improve public health equity. However, more robust and sustainable action is still needed, particularly in integrating these services into the primary healthcare system across all districts.
A Call for Unity and Action
IAAD 2025 is not only a celebration, but a movement for justice, health and dignity. It is an invitation to all stakeholders including government agencies, civil society, healthcare professionals, international partners and the Rwandan public to stand in solidarity with persons with albinism and ensure their right to life and health is upheld.
Together, we can demand our rights, protect our skin and preserve our lives.
