A/78/167 are more vulnerable to negative health outcomes as a result of climate-related impacts, for example, because their households are more likely to be poorer and less resilient to climate shocks. These health impacts in turn magnify existing disparities that children with albinism experience in their educational journeys. While a child without albinism who has experienced malnutrition because of climate change may experience poorer educational participation and learning outcomes, a similarly affected child with albinism must contend with the impact of malnourishment on educational participation and learning outcomes and the negative impact caused by other barriers, such as inaccessible learning materials and attitudinal barriers. As a result of poverty or hardship and to avoid school-related costs, some families may choose to withdraw a child with albinism from school rather than their siblings because of concerns over their child’s learning ability. 59 48. At the same time, climate change is causing specific risks with regard to the education of children with albinism. Harsh or prolonged sun exposure mean that the eyes of children with albinism are more exposed to glare; consequently, affected children have greater difficulty seeing classroom content and concentrating on their learning. Concurrently, while more frequent extreme sun exposure at and on the way to school poses grave health risks for children with albinism in the form of skin cancer, other health consequences, such as sunburn, are also very painful and disruptive to their education and learning. 60 49. When schools and other educational infrastructure are directly disrupted by climate-related impacts, such as extreme weather events, children with albinism face specific barriers to their educational participation and to mitigate learning loss. Structures, such as temporary classrooms and tents, used in the aftermath of disaster events may not be sufficient to protect the skin of persons with albinism. In addition, remote learning methods used during and after disaster events are often not fully accessible to persons with albinism and other persons with visual impairments, meaning that these learners miss out on vital teaching and learning. D. Freedom from violence and discrimination 50. Myths and misconceptions about albinism and persons with albinism are common worldwide. In Africa, where persons with albinism are very visible, the condition is linked to superstition and harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks, which, in turn, leads to marginalization and social exclusion. There have been cases of offences having been committed against persons with albinism, including killings, mutilations, rapes, grave robberies and trafficking in persons and body parts. 61 In a number of African countries, the body parts of persons with albinism are believed to contain magical properties, which, when used in potions or spells, can bring good fortune. 62 Elsewhere in the world, where attacks on persons with albinism are rarer, persons with albinism are still subject to damaging misconceptions, including that they cannot learn or complete normal tasks or that albinism is contagious. 63 __________________ 59 60 61 62 63 23-13701 Ikponwosa Ero and others, People with Albinism Worldwide. Patricia M. Lund and Julie S. Taylor, “Lack of adequate sun protection for children with oculocutaneous albinism in South Africa”, BMC Public Health, vol. 8, No. 1 (30 June 2008), pp. 1–8. Ikponwosa Ero and others, People with Albinism Worldwide. Nora Groce and Jeremy McGeown, “Witchcraft, wealth and disability: reinterpretation of a folk belief in contemporary urban Africa”, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre Working Paper Series, No. 30 (London, University College London, 2 013). Ikponwosa Ero and others, People with Albinism Worldwide. 15/23