Canada's High Commissioner to
Tanzania, Alexandre Lévêque, hands over a symbolic cheque to Vicky Ntetema,
Executive Director of Under The Same Sun's Tanzania Chapter, in Dar Es Salaam
to show Canada's support for the radio project.
Photo: Harriett Emmanuel
Photo: Harriett Emmanuel
Tanzania has one of the highest
prevalence rates of albinism in the world. Some scientific estimates suggest as
many as one in 2,000 Tanzanians have albinism, a genetic condition in which no
melanin is produced in the skin, hair and eyes. This is compared to one in
20,000 in North America and Europe. Although actual census data does not exist,
this means that as many as 20,000-25,000 Tanzanians could have albinism.
People with albinism in Tanzania
face discrimination and social exclusion and they are the target of horrific
violence. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, 72 murders of people with albinism have been documented in
Tanzania since 2000, with hundreds of others suffering horrendous amputations
and serious injuries. In a two-week period in February 2013, a seven year old
boy with albinism and his 97 year old grandfather, who was seeking to save his
loved one, were murdered; three more, including a seven-month old baby, were
mutilated.
This violence against people with
albinism results from archaic and inhumane witchcraft beliefs, particularly
prevalent in the northern part of Tanzania. Traditional healers and
witchdoctors have perpetuated the myth that obtaining the body parts of people
with albinism can bring good fortune, strong powers and enhanced wealth. This
also means that graves of people with albinism have been vandalized and robbed.
Under the Same Sun (UTSS), a
Canadian non-governmental organization dedicated to assisting people with
albinism, opened a branch in Tanzania in 2010. Since then, UTSS has been playing
a vital role in educating the Tanzanian public about albinism, its causes, and
the challenges faced by people with albinism in Tanzania, with the long-term
objective of preventing discrimination and violence and offering better
education and livelihood opportunities.
UTSS and Canada share the belief
that people with albinism can take their rightful place as equals in Tanzanian
society, and are working hand in hand to transform attitudes vis-à-vis albinism
so that lasting change can be achieved. With the support of CAD $20,000 from
the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, UTSS produced radio documentaries and
radio dramas, using some of Tanzania’s most well-known actors, like King Majuto
and Bi Chau. The broadcasts will be aired across the northern regions of
Tanzania on community radio stations for the next six to twelve months.
Canada’s High Commissioner to
Tanzania, Alexandre Lévêque, launched the broadcasts in Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania. He told the assembled press conference that “the Government of Canada
remains deeply concerned about the plight of people with albinism in Tanzania.
In October 2011, Canada’s Parliament adopted a unanimous motion condemning the
murder and mutilation of Tanzanian adults and children with albinism for their
body parts, and expressed the support of the citizens of Canada for People with
Albinism.”
Canada’s Parliament also called upon
the Tanzanian Government to prosecute actively and aggressively, and convict
all perpetrators of these crimes. In light of the recent spate of attacks,
effective prosecution becomes even more important as a deterrent to future
atrocities.
The radio shows are intended to
build knowledge amongst members of the public about albinism, strengthen ties
between people with albinism and their communities, and encourage interaction
and understanding. The hope is that these radio broadcasts will
contribute to ending once and for all violence and discrimination against
people with albinism in Tanzania. The Canadian High Commission in Tanzania will
continue to monitor this issue very closely and to support ongoing efforts by
UTSS to transform attitudes toward albinism.
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