State avers that it has enhanced the public participation of PWA by
appointing them to diplomatic positions.
122. According to the Respondent State, the Association of Disabled Persons
has played a central role in shaping legislation and policy. In this regard, it
contends that the Association has played a major role in shaping the lives
children, youth and adult with disabilities.
123. In terms of awareness raising, the Respondent State submits that it
celebrates the International Albinism Awareness Day, on 13 June every
year. According to the Respondent State, on the afore-mentioned day, it
sensitizes the public on issues of albinism where high level of governmental
officials deliver key messages to rally against discrimination of PWA.
124. Furthermore, the Respondent State contends that it has combatted
discriminatory practices by undertaking sensitization activities to raise
awareness on the rights of PWA through public and private media on a daily
basis.
125. The amici curiae submit that albinism is a disability that causes PWA to
suffer barriers to social integration and exclusion from mainstream life owing
to forms of discrimination within society. Furthermore, that the social
barriers have an adverse impact on PWA who seek medical treatment and
maternal healthcare along with a detrimental effect on their psychosocial
health.
126. The amici further contend that discrimination in the Respondent State has
led to children with albinism dropping out of school as a result of bullying
and harassment and that failure to implement reasonable accommodation
in the education system in the form of providing assistive devices,
particularly to assist PWA with vision impairments has exacerbated their
impediment in accessing education.
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