The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation partnering with Free State Performing Arts and Transport for People with Disabilities, will be hosting a 4 day event to create awareness around International Albinism and Youth day for people with disabilities. The event will be hosted in Senekal in the Free State.
People with disabilities are often marginalised and seen as handicapped members of the community unable to take part in Sport, Arts and Culture activities. A perception is far from the truth. Often these individuals have not been afforded the opportunities to take part in these activities.
Moreover, they were not considered for talent participation and performing arts activities, due to discrimination and would not even be afforded equal opportunities like the rest of the community – those often referred to as able bodied. There remains a great need for artists with disabilities to participate in arts and be recognised for their great talents.
It is with this background that the Free State Performing Arts and Transport for People with Disabilities Organisation united all the organisations with special interests in skills development and the talent of people with disabilities. The organisation intends to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities, through projects that will empower them.
With regards to Albinism, the worst expression of discrimination against persons with albinism is their dehumanisation, which lays the foundation for horrifying physical attacks against them. Because some believe that they are magical beings or ghosts, they mutilate or even kill them so their body parts can be used for witchcraft rituals.
These attacks claim many lives and surviving victims and their families experience severe trauma. Persons with albinism deserve to have their rights to life and security protected, as well as the right not to be subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
Education and awareness-raising campaigns can help combat superstition and stigma associated with albinism.
This 4 day awareness event will be hosted as follows:
|
DATE |
TOWN |
VENUE |
ACTIVITIES |
|
13 June 2018 |
Senekal |
Community Hall |
Arrival of task team |
|
14 June 2018 |
Senekal |
Community Hall |
Arts workshops and Albinism Models workshop |
|
15 June 2018 |
Senekal |
Community Hall |
International albinism awareness Dialogue for brutal killings |
|
16 June 2018 |
Senekal |
Community Hall |
Youth Day Celebration ( Arts and Sports) Mr and Miss Albinism 2018-2019 |
