Kinshasa, June 14th, 2026 (CPA). – The establishment of awareness-raising mechanisms has been requested by a human rights organization advocating for persons living with albinism during an interview on Sunday, in order to change societal perceptions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). « We call on public authorities to put in place awareness mechanisms to change the way people perceive persons living with albinism. I also appeal to the First Lady, Denise Nyakeru, to further support initiatives promoting and protecting the rights of persons with albinism, » said Nadine Mukenge, President of the NGO “League for the Defense of the Rights of Persons with Albinism” (LIDE). Speaking on the persistence of prejudice, she stressed that awareness remains a key tool in transforming societal attitudes. « There is still injustice against persons living with albinism. That is why we created an organization to defend their rights and raise awareness about the reality of albinism. To Africans, particularly Congolese who often misunderstand albinism, we say that even we, persons with albinism, suffer from these misconceptions, » she said. Mukenge, an albino and resident of Brussels, Belgium, explained that she was in Kinshasa following an invitation from the Wallonia-Brussels Center to participate in the 10th edition of the “Fièrement Ndundu, plus de couleurs” initiative by Yan Mambo, held on the sidelines of the International Albinism Awareness Day celebrated annually on June 13th. She used the opportunity to share her experience as an albino mother and to highlight misconceptions that fuel exclusion. « Many still believe that albinism is a curse or a disease, whereas it is simply a lack of melanin. These prejudices contribute to the stigma we fight every day, » she explained.
Voices for inclusion
Marie-France Tshapakatshi, a social activist for the rights of persons with disabilities and adviser on social inclusion of persons with albinism at the Ministry in charge of Persons with Disabilities, also shared her experience as an albino woman.
« Through our experience marked by resilience and courage, we want young people with albinism to follow in our footsteps. Without courage, determination and perseverance, one can never achieve dreams or have talents accepted in society, » she said. She added that her commitment to inclusion has enabled her to contribute more actively to the promotion of rights for persons with albinism within public institutions.
« This same commitment to inclusion and empowerment led Irène Esambo, Minister Delegate for Persons with Disabilities, to call upon us. We continue to work to end the marginalization still faced by persons with albinism, » she stated.
Several activities were organized over the weekend across the DRC to promote awareness of the rights of persons with albinism. In Kinshasa as well as in the provinces, conferences were held on the sidelines of the International Albinism Awareness Day.