THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 People with Albinism (PwA) People with Albinism belong to a group of minorities in Zimbabwe. There are nearly 40 000 people with albinism in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, the discourse recognizing the rights and needs of the PwA has been slow to take shape. Violations remain underreported. Among many minority groups mentioned in the Constitution, the Albino community is conspicuous by its absence; it was totally ignored. However, that sad reality is slowly changing because of the activities of many organisations that are raising awareness of the situation of the Albino community. Among the more severe violations against the community of people with Albinism are the violation of the right to life owing to cultural practices that treat babies with Albinism as cursed hence are killed. In other places, persons with Albinism are victims of ritual killings owing to the false belief that body parts of people with Albinism have mystical or magical powers. From a health rights perspective, communities of people with Albinism have special needs like sunscreen lotion, which provides protection for their skin against the sun, enabling them to live a healthy life and continue to be active in their communities. However, these protective products are expensive and beyond the reach of many. Failure to access protective products is a matter of life and death. People with Albinism are at higher risk of getting skin cancer, which is a fatal infection. Other human rights violations emanated from discrimination by persons and institutions that have no appreciation of differences. Specific Cases In October 2017, Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ) reported that landlords across Zimbabwe are shunning people with albinism creating a crisis of accommodation for people with albinism and perpetuating the stereotypes that advance the marginalisation of people with albinism. On the policy level, ALCOZ called on the government to reinforce its efforts in spearheading albinofriendly policies that can economically empower the group in self-sustenance and help eliminate the ongoing harsh stereotypes. Right to health- PwA suffer sudden deaths due to cancerous sores and limited access to treatment. Discrimination in the workplace, continued in 2017. PwA are constantly denied the right to employment because of their skin colour. Domestic violence was a major issue for 2017. Mothers of children with albinism were reported to have been abused by their spouses because they had given birth to children with albinism. Ritual killings that are perpetrated against people with albinism. The existence of myths and superstitious beliefs that PwA possess charm that can provide good fortune and wealth has led to ritual killings for people affected by the condition. 37