Six women with albinism set out to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on Monday 1 October. Hailing from various parts of Africa, they embarked on this campaign to raise awareness for people suffering discrimination and violence because of their rare skin condition.
Albinism is a genetic condition affecting melanin production, which pigments or gives colour to the skin, hair and eyes.
According to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the women felt that the trek up Kilimanjaro was symbolic of their everyday challenges in society because of their albinism.
Although only one of the party, Ms Nodumo Ncomanzi of Zimbabwe, reached the top of Uhuru Peak on Sunday 7 October, the group was extremely proud of their efforts and endurance, as well as the awareness they raised under the campaign name, ‘Climb for Albinism’. ‘I am proud to be a woman with albinism who stood at Uhuru Peak,’ Ncomanzi told Business Insider.
Artist and performer Regina Mary Ndlovu was part of this vibrant cohort of activists. No stranger to the varying shades of abuse and ostracism facing many albino individuals in her native Zambia, and her life now in South Africa, Ndlovu has found her voice and empowerment on the stage through singing and acting.
Regina Mary and the triumphant Nodumo were joined by Kenyan activist Jane Waithera, Dr Onyinye Edi (Nigeria), Mariam Staford (Tanzania) and Senegalese musician Maah Koudia Keita.
The team is confident that this climb is just the beginning of their social activism.
Featured thumbnail image is sourced from climbforalbinism.org.
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