Pretoria - Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, has urged communities to stop discriminating against people with albinism.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the Life Choices Campaign, which encourages acceptance and understanding of albinism, Mayende-Sibiya said communities need to be aware and understand the condition.
"There are many myths surrounding people with albinism condition and some of these myths are scary, misleading and forcing people with the condition to live in fear for the rest of their lives," said Mayende-Sibiya.
She said her ministry is committed to ensuring that persons with albinism enjoy all human rights embodied in the Constitution, including the right to access to education.
"In realising this right, assistive devices should be made available to assist with teaching and learning. Through public health facilities, children with albinism should be provided glasses and optical aides to enhance their vision. Schools should ensure that children with albinism receive learning material in an accessible format," she said.
She added that she believes that the campaign will ensure that people with albinism are not hindered from full participation in social and economic activities.
