This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Kenya Launches Mobile App to Raise Awareness on Albinism ¶
Published on October 25, 2019
A new mobile app, "Albinism and I", has been launched in Kenya to provide resources and knowledge on albinism, aiming to change the social narrative and provide support to people living with albinism.
The app, unveiled in Nairobi, is a collaborative effort between Positive Exposure-Kenya Programmes and other organizations, with the goal of providing essential information on healthy living with albinism.
"The current state of life for those with albinism across Africa is bleak," said Jayne Waithera, Director of Positive Exposure-Kenya Programmes. "With such lack of knowledge, there is a crucial need to understand how to overcome daily challenges such as awareness and acceptance, mental health issues, and self-confidence of persons with albinism, and this app will do exactly that."
The app aims to act as a resource not only for the society but also for midwives, family, and teachers, providing support and changing the social narrative that allows for dangerous misconceptions of albinism.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC), persons living with albinism (PLWA) still face stigma and challenges, hindering them from enjoying their rights, including access to education, healthcare, acceptability, justice, employment, and social protection.
KNHRC CEO Bernard Mogesa noted that the country is yet to formally ensure that awareness on albinism is brought to the forefront to demystify the stigma. He emphasized the importance of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which would enable PLWA to pursue alternative redress in the event of violations of their rights.
Mogesa also highlighted the need for continuous research and investigations to bring in new knowledge and information about albinism, which would inform policy direction and implementation.
He lauded the government on the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), adding that a child with albinism should not be left out in the CBC. Mogesa emphasized the need to strengthen the cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and physical environment of PLWA and provide the necessary knowledge and skills that would integrate them into society.
He also noted that there are gaps in terms of proximity to those in rural areas in the distribution of sunscreen lotions to PLWA and the distribution of assistive devices to children in schools and colleges.
However, Mogesa highlighted that there is a challenge around an aspect that is rarely addressed, which is the mental health of PLWA. He emphasized that the commission is engaging with the Senate to address this issue through the Mental Health Bill, which is currently at the national assembly.
