By Ifeanyi Okonkwo
Anambra State remains the only state with disability right law.
Members of the Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA) lead by the Chairperson Mrs. Ezeonwumelu Vivian Chika on 10th June, 2022 walked round Awka, marking the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD)
The international Albinism awareness day 2022 was themed “United in making our voice heard”
The members while creating awareness urged ndi-Anambra to stop the discrimination, ill-treatment concerning persons with Albinism from either parents, guardians, or teachers.
Chairperson Anambra State Albinism Association Mrs. Ezeonwumelu Vivian Chika in her address said Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth.
“In almost all types of Albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves.
Ezeonwumelu lamented stating that many parents have denied the militated children from marrying any person with Albinism with the believe that it will come into the family. So many companies reject persons with Albinism from being gainfully employed thinking that we cannot deliver.
“Some teachers send the children with Albinism on errands under the sun without making sure if the child is will protected from the Ultraviolet radiation from the sun. With these, the child is been exposed to the dangers of skin cancer”.
Anambra State Commissioner For Women, Children And Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo in her speech commended the members of ASAA for creating the awareness. She encouraged them to keep there head up.
Obinabo who was represented by the Anambra State Director Women’s Affairs, described them as peculiar persons who are wonderfully created by God. She urged them not to allow anyone downgrade them.
Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) Anambra State Chairman in his good will message commended the state government lead by Governor Chukwuma Soludo for identifying with people living with disability.
Okeke said “Anambra State remains the only state with disability right law. As organization, we will continue to join you to say no against any form of molestation. Stand and fight for your right. let nobody intimidate you”
Some of the members of ASAA also shared there experences as Albinos.
The international Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly on the 18th of December 2014, establishing June 13th of every year as a day set aside to commemorate Albinism awareness.
On the 5th of June 2021, some persons living in Anambra State came together to form Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA) with a view to fight for there right and it’s now a recognized cluster with Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) Anambra State chapter.
