By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.
Liberia through the Albino Society is today celebrating the international Albinism and Awareness Day, under the global theme: ” Still Standing Strong but with the local theme: Forward Ever, Backward Never.
The day which is observed annually on June 13, came into force as a result of a resolution instituted by the United Nations Sections on Human Rights in 2013 and has been recognized.
The resolution among other things calls for equal rights and opportunities as well as empowerment of people living with Albinism globally.
The annual event is intended to create the necessary awareness about issues and challenges facing members of the Albino Society in Liberia to raise awareness on the empowerment of persons living with Albinism.
This year’s local theme according to the Executive Director of the Liberia Albinism Society (LAS) Patricia Logan, is meant to encourage persons living with Albinism to remain focus and hopeful despite some of the many challenges they are faced with.
She named: Lack of Empowerment, stigmatization health related complications and discrimination of her members as key issues confronting them but is certain that things will get better.
She urged her members to always engage into meaningful initiatives to help move the country forward.
“The promotion of peace, national healing and reconciliation should always be your priority,” Madam Logan encouraged her people.
She commended the CDC led Government for the level of support given to them thus far but noted that more needs to be done especially with the numerous of programs and impact they are making on less fortunate Liberians mainly in the health sector.
As part of the celebrations, the LAS boss said they will climax the annual week long activities on Saturday with a free medical outreach for children between months to five years targeting about 1000 patients including pregnant women.
She said their free medical outreach program is helping to buttress government’s effort in the health care delivery system of the country.
Madam Logan named: Gender Minister Williamina E, Saydee Tarr, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Lydia Sherman including other relevant government ministries and agencies as people and institutions to grace the occasion on Today.
She called on persons living with Albinism to see self-help initiative as key to nation building. People living with Albinism, LAS boss said are those who have a challenge with their skin pigmentation but are integral part of society and should be respected, supported and provided equal care and empowerment opportunities than any other group of people.
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