Kenya hosts first Mr and Miss Albinism beauty pageant to challenge witchcraft killings To Challenge Witchcraft Killings

To mark its tenth anniversary celebrations and show the world that people living with albinism also deserve it all just like any other human to walk this earth and also to do away with stigma associated with the medical condition — Kenyan Albinism Society organised the country’s first Mr and Miss albinism pageant .
Read IBT’s  full report :
“Indeed, reports of attacks have been increasing since late 2014 in neighbouring Malawi and Tanzania, where it is believed that body parts of albinos can be used to bring luck or used in charms and magic potions. Harmful beliefs go further to claim that having sexual relations with an albino cures HIV and Aids..
As a result, a UN special envoy earlier this year declared that the atrocities render persons with albinism “an endangered people group facing a risk of systemic extinction over time if nothing is done to stem the tide”.
Mr & Miss Albinism Kenya 2016 propelled a number of young albinos into the limelight after a first round of auditions held on 24 September 24 in the capital, Nairobi.
Persons with albinism are extremely excited about this first ever Mr and Miss Albinism. It has never happened before and they have an opportunity to showcase what they got and I can assure you it’s something,” MP Isaac Mwaura for Special Interest Group, and ASK’s National Coordinator told local press.
A lot still remains to be done if we are to combat the stigma and discrimination faced by persons with albinism in many parts of the country.”
He continued:
“We need to increase levels of awareness, give children a chance to attend school, provide sunscreen lotion and skin cancer treatment, improve access to eye care services – especially prescription glasses, open job placement opportunities including self-employment, lobby for better policies and most importantly, increase the self-esteem of persons with albinism “.
Jairus Jzay and Loise Lihanda were crowned winners of the contest.