09/06/2026
Dear Teboho,
Historic Wins: WHO Adds Sunscreen on its EML and EMLc, discover how AAN is advancing rights and protections for persons with albinism across Africa.
Joint statement AAN & CBM Global Disability Inclusion: World Health Organization updates list of Essential Medicines to add sunscreen
The Africa Albinism Network (AAN) and CBM Global Disability Inclusion celebrate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision on September 5, 2025, to add Broad-spectrum sunscreen to the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc).
This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, the Global Albinism Alliance, and dedicated partners who worked together to present a cohesive, evidence-based application to the WHO.
We are equally proud of our contribution to this global advocacy initiative through the joint campaign we launched in 2024 to have sunscreen put on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List. The petition was signed by 4,282 people in 99 countries across 6 WHO regions.
The Model List of the WHO serves as a guide for the development of the national essential medicines list. EMLs are a powerful tool to promote health equity, as essential medicines are considered cost-effective elements in healthcare.
Read the Blog
Virtual Learning Forum – Human rights mechanism training (Anglophone)
On August 27, 2025, AAN hosted a successful Virtual Learning Forum under the theme “Advancing the Rights of Persons with Albinism through Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms.” The two-hour session, which included contributions from the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, Ms. Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, gathered 33 participants from ten African countries.
The Forum's primary goal was to equip albinism groups and human rights defenders with the practical skills to effectively engage with UN mechanisms, empowering them to leverage UN processes for greater visibility, accountability, and domestic reforms. AAN plans to consolidate these learnings by organizing more targeted clinics and developing online resources to support albinism groups in translating this knowledge into concrete advocacy actions.
Ghana Learning Forum 2025 on Albinism and Climate Change
This video is in English only. You may use YouTube’s subtitles tool to access it in French and Portuguese.
On September 23–24, 2025, AAN, with support from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), convened the first-ever Anglophone West-Africa Regional Learning Forum in Accra, Ghana, under the theme “Climate Change, Human Rights, and Albinism.” This instrumental gathering brought together advocates, human rights defenders, disability leaders, and partner organisations from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
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Advocacy Toolkit for Women Human Rights Defenders with Albinism
This toolkit is designed to strengthen and support Women Human Rights Defenders with AlbinismT by providing practical guidance, safety strategies and advocacy tools. It recognises the multiple forms of discrimination they face and aims to build their leadership, protect their well-being, and enhance awareness of their rights.
Access the full guide
Ratification and Implementation of the African Disability Protocol
AAN participated in the two-day "Regional Workshop on Enhancing the Ratification and Implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP)," hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in Johannesburg (August 19–20, 2025). The ADP, the first African human rights instrument focused exclusively on persons with disabilities, came into force on May 3, 2024. The workshop brought together stakeholders from the disability sector, government, academia, and civil society across 12 African countries. The event served a two-fold purpose: to encourage wider ratification by the remaining African Union Member States and to facilitate open dialogue on effective implementation strategies. The discussions focused on how the ADP's contextualized provisions, which uniquely address issues like customs, harmful traditional beliefs, and self-representation, can be leveraged through strategic litigation, legislative reform, and capacity-strengthening to ensure the rights of Persons with Albinism and all persons with disabilities are realized across the continent.
AAN Presents on African Disability
Protocol at University of Pretoria
On August 13, AAN’s Executive Director, Bonface Massah, made a significant presentation on Persons with Albinism and the African Disability Protocol (ADP) at the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), University of Pretoria. The presentation focused on affirming that persons with albinism are considered persons with disability under international law, based on the interaction of their visual and skin impairments with environmental and attitudinal barriers.
Key points of the presentation included:
Legal Recognition: The ADP's Article 1 explicitly recognizes albinism as a disability, affirming its legal status.
Defining Ritual Killings: The ADP innovatively reformulated the definition of ritual killings as any killing motivated by beliefs for the purpose of using body parts for medicinal use, supernatural powers, prosperity, and protecting the killer.
Policy Alignment: The Protocol calls upon States to promote the legal capacity of. This aligns with and supports the development of the AU Plan of Action on Albinism and National Action Plans (NAPs).
Impact: The ADP has helped increase the recognition of albinism as a disability, both at individual levels and within the laws of various African countries.
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Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa
The intersection of health, climate change, and disability rights is often discussed in abstract policy terms, but for persons with albinism in Africa, these issues are personal, urgent, and a matter of survival.
Between September 8 and 10, two significant developments marked important progress for disability and climate advocates:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized broad-spectrum sunscreen as an essential medicine, and
African leaders gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the Africa Climate Summit (ACS).
To understand what these milestones mean on the ground, we spoke with Hilda Macheso, a passionate advocate for persons with albinism from Malawi and Bonface Massah, of the Africa Albinism Network, who gave a closing speech at the ACS during a side event hosted by the African Disability Forum titled, “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development"
Bonface called for increased financial flow toward sustainable disability-inclusive and environmentally friendly health programs that are accessible to persons with disabilities. There is an urgent need to invest and fund skin cancer prevention programs that will bring change in the quality of life for persons with albinism, including incentives for health workers to deliver the programs.
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Statement delivered by Africa Albinism Network on the Human Rights Situation of Persons with Albinism in Africa
At the 85th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in Banjul, The Gambia, AAN’s Advocacy Manager, Kwame A. Daklo delivered a powerful statement on behalf of Under the Same Sun and over 200 albinism groups across Africa.
Read the Statement
A Journey for Justice: Advancing Inclusive Reparations for Persons with Albinism at the African Commission in Banjul
From October 17-31, 2025, the AAN was on the ground in Banjul, The Gambia, for a landmark moment in Africa’s human rights landscape; the NGOs Forum and the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The NGOs Forum, hosted by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), brings together civil society organisations and human rights defenders ahead of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Ordinary Sessions. It serves as a crucial platform for civil society on human rights issues across Africa
Read the Blog
International Albinism Conference - Lancaster, UK
Kwame Daklo, AAN's Advocacy Manager, participated in the International Albinism Conference organized by Professor Charlotte Baker at Lancaster University, United Kingdom.
During a panel session on Holistic Advocacy, Kwame delivered a presentation sharing insights on AAN’s strategic approaches and impact across the continent.
The discussion generated key recommendations aimed at strengthening the work of the Global Albinism Alliance, highlighting opportunities for improved coordination and collective impact.
Zambian Nationa Action Plan Validation Workshop
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, organized a validation meeting on October 28, 2025, for the draft National Action Plan (NAP) for the protection of Persons with Albinism. The NAP, which will serve as the operational plan for all national initiatives, was developed by a technical committee following a broad consultative process. The meeting brought together 41 participants from various albinism organizations to review the draft and provide final feedback to the consultant.
Albinism Beyond 2030 Conference: Legal and Healthcare Pathways to Inclusion International Conference organized by the University of the Free State
AAN's Executive Director, Bonface Massah, was an invited speaker at the landmark "Albinism Beyond 2030: Legal and Healthcare Pathways to Inclusion" international conference, held on October 23-24, 2025, by the Faculties of Law and Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa.
The conference successfully brought together scholars, policymakers, health professionals, and activists to align advocacy efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
During the event, Mr. Massah emphasized the long-term vision, stating that despite ongoing struggles, "this conference is the foundation to unlock the potential of Persons with Albinism beyond 2030."
His message was reinforced by other speakers who stressed the shift from awareness to action:
"We must move beyond awareness for the rights of People with Albinism to value care; by doing this, we can transform society and make an impact in their lives. We must move away from pity to power." - Dr Molapo Qhobela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Institutional Change Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact, UFS
"The conference provides a unique opportunity to focus on Persons with Albinism. Our mission must be to reach them with accurate knowledge right from birth to prevent disinformation." - Prof Frans Maruma, Head of Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS
AAN looks forward to leveraging the expertise and new strategic partnerships forged at this international forum to accelerate the post-2030 agenda for the rights of Persons with Albinism.
