Zambian national Susan Phiri has been unveiled among 31 finalists from 18 African countries, for the first ever Miss and Mr Albinism Africa Pageant which will be held on June 28 this year in Zimbabwe.
The event under the theme, “shining in the rainbow Africa” is being organized by The Albinism Dare to Dream Initiative ADDI of Zimbabwe, working in partnership with The Sierra Leone Association
For persons with albinism, The Association For the Welfare of Albinos in Cameroon and Bien Etre Des Albinos De Côte d’lvoire among other African Albinism organizations.
Phiri will be competing for the Ms Albinism to serve as a champion against the myths regarding persons with albinism that expose affected people to harms in society, while instilling confidence that everyone can make it in life regardless of who or what they are.
ADDI Executive Director Brenda Mudzimu said the event is meant to raise awareness to stop the stigma and challenges people with albinism experience, with continued reports of some being killed for ritual purposes.
Mudzimu expressed concern that due to the myths and misconceptions regarding people with albinism, most of them are losing their lives because their body parts are sought after for ritual purposes, with Tanzania leading in such cases on the African continent.
“The vulnerability suffered by people
with albinism does not stem from any mental or physical disability, but is a result of discrimination,
stigma and social exclusion. Albinism in Africa is the most urgent challenge of our time as many
people with albinism are losing their lives due to myths and misconceptions in the society, as their
body parts are being sought for, with Tanzania being the leading country in Africa, where the ritual
killings of people with albinism are concerned. And it’s from this background that the Albinism Dare
to Dream Initiative-ADDI and other stake holders, embarked the idea of pageants in trying to raise
awareness on issues affecting people with albinism. In the year 2018 to 2023 respectively, we
successfully held Mr & Miss Albinism SADC which received a great support by like minded partners,” Mudzimu said.
Mudzimu explained that the event has spread its net wider to the entire African
Continent to help strengthen the promotion and advocacy for awareness, accessibility and
inclusion for people with albinism.
She said the beauty pageant will be accompanied with an African
Diversity Festival aimed at helping Africans create communication and mutual learning
between people of different races, ethnic origins, religious beliefs, and social groups.
She expressed optimism that this will encourage Africans to appreciate all people to fit in society without the dangers that people with albinism face.
This event is also designed to inspire and help the participants gain personal recognition and
development, self-confidence, inter-personal and communication skills, stress management skills as well as personal grooming skills and exposure.
Participants are aged between 18 and 35.
