Human rights education and the plight of vulnerable groups with specific reference to people with albinism in Tanzania
| Published date | 01 June 2020 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1358229120948691 |
| Author | John Cantius Mubangizi,Ines Kajiru |
| Date | 01 June 2020 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Human rights education
and the plight of vulnerable
groups with specific
reference to people with
albinism in Tanzania
John Cantius Mubangizi
1
and Ines Kajiru
2
Abstract
Although all human beings are vulnerable, some are more vulnerable than others, for
example, people with albinism. Similarly, although albinism occurs in all parts of the
world, it is more prevalent in some societies than in others. For example, Tanzania, in
common with other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has a high prevalence of albinism.
Apart from being subjected to blatant discrimination and abuse, people with albinism
suffer atrocious attacks sometimes resulting in death. This paper explores the nature and
extent of discrimination and human rights violations of people with albinism in Tanzania
in the context of the relevant legal framework available for their protection. Using
people with albinism in Tanzania as a proxy, the paper argues that there is a need for
human rights education not only to empower vulnerable people to defend and protect
their rights but also to sensitize societies to respect and not violate the rights of such
people. The paper concludes with several recommendations that apply to people with
albinism in Tanzania as much as they would apply to any vulnerable group anywhere else
in the world.
Keywords
Albinism, discrimination, human rights, education, awareness, vulnerable, Tanzania
1
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
2
The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
Corresponding author:
John Cantius Mubangizi, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa.
Email: MubangiziJC@ufs.ac.za
International Journalof
Discrimination and theLaw
2020, Vol. 20(2-3) 137–155
ªThe Author(s) 2020
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/1358229120948691
journals.sagepub.com/home/jdi
Introduction
All human beings are vulnerable but some are more vulnerable than others – hence the
concept of ‘vulnerable groups’, a term that is ordinarily used to refer to, inter alia,
women and girls, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and – in the context of
this discussion – people with albinism (PWA). Although albinism occurs in all parts of
the world, it is more prevalent in some societies than in others. Tanzania, in common
with other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has a high pre valence of albinism. It is
estimated that one in every 2 000 Tanzanians has this condition.
1
As in all parts of the world where albinism occurs, people with albinism in Tanzania
have always been vulnerable to discrimination, but this situation has been exacerbated in
recent times. Apart from being sub jected to blatant discrimination a nd abuse, these
people suffer from atrocious attacks resulting in mutilations and killings, as it is believed
that their body parts, particularly the genitals, limbs, breasts, fingers and tongues can be
used as ‘good luck’ charms believed to bring good fortune.
2
Despite explanations of the
causes of albinism and the biological reasons for this condition, the perception that PWA
are non-human persists among various Tanzanian commun ities. According to Lund,
‘lack of awareness about the biological causes of albinism fuels the social discrimination
against PWA ...and limited knowledge of and understanding about the origin of albin-
ism is widespread in indigenous African and non-African cultures’.
3
It is the negative
social constructions of albinism that exacerbate the vulnerability of PWA. These nega-
tive associations tend to dehumanize people with albinism and violate their fundamental
human rights.
It is against that background and for that reason that some have argued for the need to
educate society on social care, awareness campaigns and medical care to ensure accep-
tance and proper integration of PWA into society.
4
More importantly, this paper argues,
there is a need for human rights education not only to empower people with albinism to
defend and protect their rights but also to sensitize societies to protect and not violate the
rights of this vulnerable group of people. Tanzania is chosen as the area of discussion for
obvious reasons. As mentioned earlier, that country has a very high prevalence of
albinism and whereas evidence from other countries in Africa is often anecdotal and
patchy, there is sufficient data in Tanzania to show prevalent discrimination and viola-
tion of the rights of people with that condition.
Conceptual context
There is far from universal agreement on definitional issues but it is important to con-
textualize certain concepts within the framework of the discussion and the arguments
presented. The relevant concepts here are albinism, human rights education (HRE) and
vulnerable groups.
Albinism
Societies in various locations around the world have developed their own diverse ways
of believing who and what albinos are without regard for the cause of albinism. There is
138 International Journal of Discrimination and the Law 20(2-3)
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