Kinshasa, June 14th, 2026 (CPA).- The commitment of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the protection and inclusion of persons with albinism (PWA) was reaffirmed on Saturday in Kinshasa by the Deputy Minister in charge of Persons with Disabilities, on the occasion of the International Albinism Awareness Day. “June 13th reminds us of the celebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day, an opportunity for us to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the protection, promotion and inclusion of persons with albinism,” said Me Irène Esambo Diata, Deputy Minister in charge of Persons with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Persons (PVH-APV). “The Organic Law, through its Article 2, represents a major innovation by including persons with albinism among the categories benefiting from the legal protection granted to persons with disabilities,” she added.
Mrs. Esambo recalled that the progress achieved so far is based on the Organic Law on the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. On this occasion, the Deputy Minister highlighted major achievements for this category of the population, including the development of the National Programme for the Protection, Promotion and Participation of Persons with Albinism. “This sectoral plan, developed with the support of the United Nations, gives priority to access to healthcare. It is currently at the final validation stage with UN experts,” she said. The Deputy Minister also referred to the establishment of the National Centre for Albinism Research and the Production of Adapted Dermatological Products, noting that the building intended to house the facility is nearing completion and is expected to be delivered before the end of the month. She also highlighted the appointment, for the first time in the DRC, of a person with albinism to head the General Secretariat of the Administration for Persons with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Persons. According to the ministerial authority, this appointment reflects the Head of State’s determination to promote the participation of persons with albinism in decision-making bodies. Mrs. Esambo also took the opportunity to commend the personal involvement of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in advancing the cause of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
“Under the leadership of the Head of State, the DRC organized the Pan-African Colloquium on Albinism in 2020. This historic event resulted in the adoption of the Kinshasa Declaration, a continental reference document. More than five years later, the Congolese Government is preparing to assess the implementation of this declaration at the national level in order to strengthen the social integration of persons with albinism,” she said.
Call for broad mobilization
Furthermore, Me Irène Esambo issued a strong appeal to both the public and private sectors to pay greater attention to the daily challenges faced by persons with albinism.
She assured that her teams would continue institutional advocacy efforts to guarantee their full participation in the country’s development. The commemoration concluded with the symbolic distribution of dermatological products and adapted sunscreen creams. The International Albinism Awareness Day was celebrated under the international theme: “Proud in my skin – Celebrating every shade of skin color.” At the national level, the event was held under the sub-theme: “Proud in our skin, celebrating every color.”