Department of Justice and Constitutional Development stakeholders meeting held
A stakeholders meeting was held recently. The aim of the meeting was held to address certain issues and it was organised by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
A stakeholders meeting was held recently. The aim of the meeting was held to address certain issues and it was organised by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Advocate Faith Phala giving a presentation about people living with albinism. Her presentation covers a lot of issues faced by people living with albinism.
Advocate Faith Phala explained how it was growing up while living with albinism. Her presentation covered a lot of issues faced by people living with albinism. She stated that according to her research, people who had lived with albinism were born during the time of Adam and Eve and another version is that it started in Africa as some people migrated to Europe.
She spoke about the prevalence and types of people living with albinism along with their characteristics and challenges. Among the challenges she said they are faced with name calling, struggles at school, eyesight problems, skin problems and others challenges.
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“While growing up I could not understand why I was discriminated against until my parents explained my condition to me. Even at university it was tough where my love life was affected. There are many myths as well and most of them are not true. I had to get used to protecting my skin as it is very sensitive by using sun screen, wearing a hat and long sleeve clothing,” stated Ms Phala.
Ms Miranda Mhlanga addressing about human trafficking and how wide spread the problem is.
Among the myths according to Ms Phala was that body parts of people living with albinism bring luck as with the case of Gabsile Shabane. People say people living with albinism brings luck to the family while others say they bring bad luck. They say people living with albinism do not bear children and that having sex with them, removes HIV in ones body and sex with them is very different which are all not true.
Ms Phala explained that according to the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) living with albinism is a disability as some people cannot see and had to use Braille.
“Except for our skin condition and some challenges, we are like everybody else. We have aspirations, we are active, we love and we have children and we die like anybody and our body parts do not bring any luck,” concluded Ms Phala.
Ms Miranda Mhlanga spoke about human trafficking giving examples and how wide spread the problem is. She said it was a lucrative business and young children are easily lured through social media while others are taken with promises of work, fame and fortune. She urged parents to be vigilant and support their children.
Mr Jabulane Sithole from the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) addressing the stakeholders about the disability.
Mr Jabulane Sithole from DPSA said that they prefer to be called persons with disability and they need to be respected. He said they were discriminated against and that they encourage people with disability to form support groups and share experiences. Mr Sithole urged people to help fight with them for their rights.
The stakeholders meeting was organised by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in partnership with the Transversal Unit under the leadership of Ms Trudy Xhala-Mavimbela.
