According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people living with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa constitute 1 in every 5,000 to 15,000. Additionally, statistics recorded in eight months in seven African countries in 2016 show that 40 attacks are carried out on people with albinism.
In 2017, a report presented to the Human Rights Council by Ms. Ikponwosa Ero, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Persons with Albinism included a focus on witchcraft as a key root cause of attacks against persons with albinism.
Stories pertaining to persecution of people with albinism in Africa continue to spread. Stripping people of their right to life because of how they were born through acts driven by myths and superstitions about their existence. As a result, their bodies are being hunted down by witch doctors predominantly in countries such as Tanzania, South Africa amongst others, where the corpse of a person with albinism is believed to generate luck and wealth.
People living with albinism are one of the most marginalized and misrepresented group yet in a world full of myths and stereotypes about their genetic condition; Zuri Doll epitomizes diversity and representation.
The doll is developed by Sibahle Collection, a South African company which comprises of a range of dolls whose aim is to encourage black girls to embrace their natural beauty and all kids to celebrate and embrace diversity.
People living with albinism are one of the most marginalized and misrepresented group yet in a world full of myths and stereotypes about their genetic condition; Zuri Doll epitomizes diversity and representation.
The doll is developed by Sibahle Collection, a South African company which comprises of a range of dolls whose aim is to encourage black girls to embrace their natural beauty and all kids to celebrate and embrace diversity.
Zuri The Doll's name means beautiful in Swahili; a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a Lingua Franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and south-eastern Africa. Zuri Doll's features are characterized by 12 inches tall (30cm) and 4c Afro textured hair, which can be combed, braided, washed and conditioned.
The doll has currently sold out as per their website. This goes to show how important representation is.
While the struggle for social inclusion of people with albinism and practices engraved in discrimination, stigma and violence continues across the continent, the significance of Sibahle Collection cannot go unnoticed. What they're doing is imperative in driving representation for the marginalized people with albinism.
Ignorance plays a big role in the injustices people with albinism face, however, the more awareness and representation through various forms the better, and hopefully one day such inequalities will be a thing of the past because ignorance is too costly; people's lives cannot continue to be at risk.
Sources: UN | WHO | Sibahle Collection