As we marked International Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June, advocates, community leaders and partners came together in Malawi to sign the Global Charter for Belonging.

This coincided with the launch of new joint research from Human Rights Watch and the Africa Albinism Network on the economic exclusion of people with albinism. The findings highlight the barriers many people with albinism continue to face in accessing education, employment and protection under the law.

The research also highlights why belonging matters. While safety is a fundamental human right, it is not the only threat to people with albinism. They have the right to learn, work, contribute and thrive. People with albinism have the right to belong.

By signing the Global Charter for Belonging, community members pledged to take practical steps to strengthen belonging and help ensure that people with albinism can live and work without fear.