Albinos are still excluded and rejected in their families and community. They need to be treated like other human beings because they are people like others.-By Yves Didier Irakoze
Nathalie Muco: “Albino women are more despised in the community. They are often chased out by their families because they are considered as evil beings, especially when they fall in love with one member of the family and get married to him. Then, people should be sensitized about eradicating this immoral mentality of discrimination.”©Iwacu
Burundian society is still lagging behind considering the way albinos are treated and involved in various institutions comparing to what is happening in the neighbouring countries. According to Nathalie Muco, Chairperson of “Albinos Women Association Hope”, albinos are not accepted in their community. They are vulnerable, lonely, unemployed, assaulted, kidnapped or killed, weak and their security leaves to desire. They are persecuted and considered as worthless, unable to achieve anything important in the society. “Albino women are more despised in the community. They are often chased out by their families because they are considered as evil beings, especially when they fall in love with one member of the family and get married to him. Then, people should be sensitized about eradicating this immoral mentality of discrimination,” deplores Muco. Eugène Nsabayezu, Coordinator of “Burundi Disabled People Association Network” (RAPHB), mentions that despite the problem of discrimination, they have a problem of health because of their skin. “Because of the lack of melanin -a substance that protects their skin- they are often exposed to skin cancer because of the sun; thus, they should be protected,” highlights Nsabayezu. He also mentions that they are perceived negatively in the society; there are pre-conceived ideas that they are ghosts always associated to spiritual evils, source of bad luck in families and consequently, they are afraid of going to public places as they want to avoid to being harmed or sacrificed.
Hence, they prefer to remain at home.
Mwimba Texas, an albino from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), points out those albino women are really undergoing many problems.
“In DRC, a man with HIV/AIDS thinks that if he makes love with an albino woman, he is healed; it’s very sad and can you imagine how albinos are exposed? Albinos are also considered as people who bring chance following the society, that’s why they are sometimes killed or their bodies’ part cut off,” regrets Mwimba.
Things should change
According to Hakizimana Nicodème, an albino from Rwanda, in his country, the government works hard to protect albinos and integrate them in education through an inclusive education program though in some schools, albino students still face some problems of being rejected or beaten by their classmates. That is the reason why their number has decreased in different classes. According to Mwimba, albinos must accept themselves to be accepted. Then, they have to work hard and not beg. They have to be unified and really show that they are able to do important things like other people. “Though albinos are underestimated, they are able to achieve great things. I am an African Champion in Catch Wrestling. I have won 650 times in different championships and I am planning to organize a championship in Burundi next year,” he declares. He adds that in DRC, the government starts to support people with disabilities including albinos and give them opportunities to take part in various institutions. Muco calls upon Burundi government to support albinos from Burundi like in other neighbouring countries. The government must ensure their full rights of living. Moreover, people should avoid any kind of rejection, mistreatment or discrimination towards albinos.
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