A/HRC/43/42
and aggravating the discrimination experienced by a person. 8 Intersecting discrimination
refers to a situation where several grounds for discrimination exist and interact in such a
way that they are inseparable.9
12.
In persons with albinism, disability and colour intersect in a way that is inseparable
and often results in prejudices and discrimination that manifest as human rights violations
ranging from bullying to violence and attacks. Furthermore, gender and disability are two
separate factors which, when combined in the same person, usually reinforce and
compound prejudices.10 Thus, women and girls with disabilities are often at a higher risk of
discrimination and exclusion (A/71/314, para. 30). They are also more likely to be
subjected to violence, abuse, neglect and multiple human rights violations (A/73/161).
13.
In its preliminary report on persons with albinism, the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recognized the severity of the human
rights violations committed against persons with albinism in many countries, including the
multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that children and women face
(A/HRC/24/57, para. 84). It noted that children with albinism are particularly targeted for
ritual killings, and women with albinism are sometimes victims of sexual violence (para.
74). The Secretary-General recognized that mothers of children with albinism may face
rejection, ostracism and discrimination, which makes them and their child particularly
vulnerable to isolation, poverty and attacks (A/72/169, para. 52).
14.
Protection against multiple and intersecting discrimination affecting persons with
albinism is enshrined in international human rights law and jurisprudence. In this respect,
several treaty bodies have applied non-discrimination provisions of human rights treaties to
the situation of persons with albinism. 11
15.
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women recognizes
intersectionality as a fundamental notion for understanding the scope of the general
obligations of States contained in article 2 of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (A/HRC/35/10, para. 7). As such, the Committee,
in its general recommendation No. 28 (2010) on the core obligations of States parties under
article 2 of the Convention, states that the discrimination of women based on sex and
gender is inextricably linked with other factors affecting them, such as race, ethnicity,
religion or belief, health, status, age, class, caste, and sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Committee calls on States parties to legally recognize such intersecting forms of
discrimination and their compounded negative impact on the women concerned, and to
adopt policies and programmes designed to eliminate such occurrences (para. 18).
16.
The Committee also recognizes the situation of women with albinism under the
concept of disadvantaged groups of women, noting the multiple forms of discrimination
that they face.12 Similarly, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has
emphasized the need for protective measures against multiple and intersecting forms of
discrimination faced by persons with disabilities, including women with albinism. 13
8
9
10
11
12
13
4
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 25
(2004) on temporary special measures, para. 12, and A/72/131, paras. 8 and 22.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 28,
para. 18, and A/72/131, para. 8.
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, general comment No. 3 (2016) on women and
girls with disabilities.
E/C.12/BFA/CO/1, E/C.12/BDI/CO/1, E/C.12/UGA/CO/1, E/C.12/COD/CO/4 and Corr.1,
E/C.12/TZA/CO/1-3, CRC/C/CAF/CO/2, CRC/C/COD/CO/3-5, CRC/C/MWI/CO/3-5,
CRC/C/TZA/CO/3-5, CRC/C/COG/CO/2-4, CRC/C/KEN/CO/3-5, CCPR/C/GHA/CO/1,
CCPR/C/MWI/CO/1/Add.1, CCPR/C/BDI/CO/2 and Corr.1, CCPR/C/TZA/CO/4,
CCPR/C/KEN/CO/3, CCPR/C/CIV/CO/1, CEDAW/C/BDI/CO/5-6, CEDAW/C/TZA/CO/7-8,
CEDAW/C/SWZ/CO/1-2, CEDAW/C/MWI/CO/7, CRPD/C/ETH/CO/1, CRPD/C/UGA/CO/1 and
CRPD/C/KEN/CO/1.
See CEDAW/C/BDI/CO/5-6, CEDAW/C/TZA/CO/7-8, CEDAW/C/SWZ/CO/1-2 and
CEDAW/C/MWI/CO/7.
See CRPD/C/UGA/CO/1.
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