- International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed on 13 June, every year by the United Nations to celebrate the human rights of persons with albinism across the world.
- Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the partial or complete absence of the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes.
- Albinism is also associated with visual problems, namely photophobia, amblyopia (lazy eye), nystagmus and others.
- People with albinism frequently face social challenges, as their condition is often a source of discrimination, ridicule, and sometimes even fear and related violence.
- In the mid-2000s, there occurred a rising number of violent attacks on and murders of persons with albinism in Tanzania.
- By the year 2015, perpetrators killed over 70 victims and many were more.
- In response to this, the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other NGOs began campaigning for the human rights of persons with albinism.
- On 4th May, 2006, TAS celebrated the first Albino Day. From the year 2009, the day became National Albino Day and was eventually called National Albinism Day.
- In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution 69/170 and designated the observation of IAAD with effect from 13 June 2015.
- The date of June 13, was chosen because on that day in 2013 the United Nations adopted its first resolution on albinism.
- The day was also designated based on the recommendations of the Human Rights Council in 2013 based on the discriminations against people with Albinism.
- The theme for the year 2021 is: “Strength Beyond All Odds.”
