Search Tips
sorted by
3 shown of 3 entities
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 87
- Paragraph text
- Public education, including awareness-raising on the scientific explanations for albinism, is one of the most fundamental tools for changing myths and erroneous beliefs that trigger violence against persons with albinism. For example, in a pilot project carried out in 2015-2016, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization country office in the United Republic of Tanzania undertook community sensitization using community radio and employing the sociocultural approach by empowering key community stakeholders such as teachers, health workers, traditional leaders, traditional healers and family members of persons with albinism to in turn mobilize their communities to protect and promote the well-being and rights of people with albinism. The project was a marked success. A post-project evaluation report revealed a quantifiable increase - in the double digits - in the percentage of people claiming knowledge about albinism, including its genetic basis and that it is not a curse.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- It is evident that none of these myths are true, yet they demonstrate the lack of understanding of the genetic nature of albinism. This absence of scientific knowledge and the resort to myths to provide explanations concerning albinism lead to discrimination against persons with albinism and their families, mothers in particular. However, this should not lead to the conclusion that public education alone will eradicate these myths. Evidence shows that even where the truth and the scientific basis of albinism are known, they can co-exist with myths. Scientific explanations of the origins of albinism can answer the question "why?". But they fail to answer particular, localized and personal questions such as "why in this particular person?" and "why at this particular time and place?". The inability of science to answer these questions means that many turn to explanations proposed by supernatural beliefs such as witchcraft, and its practitioners, also known as witchdoctors.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- Other children have dropped out of school or have been withdrawn by their family to remain under the protection of their parents. The security of children both on the way to school and at school cannot be ensured, including during recesses. Most rural schools do not have basic security items such as fences to ensure the children's protection.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
3 shown of 3 entities