A/HRC/43/42 Independent Expert during her visit to Fiji, where in some rural areas, wearing hats and sunglasses in certain contexts, even for sun protection, is seen as socially inappropriate behaviour (A/HRC/40/62/Add.1, para. 34). 59. There are rare instances in which women with albinism have created their own platforms to advance their interests. They include women who have established organizations focused on public education on albinism, women who are using the media to advocate for persons with albinism, and women who are using cultural platforms such as pageants and sporting events to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of persons with albinism. 71 Some women with albinism have also become renowned models and public figures, using their public status to raise awareness and advocate for issues relating to albinism. In addition to these examples, there are less targeted efforts to ensure inclusion and meaningful participation of women with albinism in decision-making spaces. 6. Access to an adequate standard of living 60. There is general consensus, particularly among organizations working on the rights of persons with albinism in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America, that many women and children impacted by albinism live in dire poverty. 72 This reflects the general correlation between disability and poverty. 73 It is also linked to single motherhood and situations where women have been subjected to stigma, isolation and ostracism. 74 Such isolation limits their meaningful participation in income-generating activities, subjecting them to a perpetual cycle of poverty. In addition, dropping out of school early often results in limited economic opportunities. 61. In countries where persons with albinism are reportedly victims of attacks, mothers of children with albinism constantly factor their children’s safety into their daily lives. Others stay at home to care for their child part-time or full-time, given the difficulty in finding a caregiver who is willing or able to look after a child with albinism. For instance, some mothers of children with albinism take their children to and from school, and sometimes wait at the school premises until their child finishes school in order to ensure their safety.75 62. The fact that many women with albinism have not received a proper education hampers their ability to obtain gainful employment opportunities, including indoors. 76 Many therefore work in the informal sector, pursuing work in agriculture or street peddling. 77 This exposes them to skin cancer, which further limits their capacity to work. In addition, women with albinism in Africa often cannot work night shifts due to the threat or fear of attacks.78 Many alter their working hours to ensure that they work only during daylight, which in turn limits their employment opportunities. In addition, employers generally do not have security measures in place to ensure the protection of women with albinism from sexual harassment and exploitation, which may be instigated by harmful myths and misconceptions. 63. In nearly every region, many women with albinism who have access to employment are unable to work effectively as some employers are unwilling to incur the costs of reasonable accommodation for women with albinism. 79 This is the case even when there are legislative provisions in place prohibiting discrimination based on disability. Moreover, 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 12 Submission from Kenya. Submissions from Africa and from Colombia and Ecuador. See also Samdani and Khoso, “A unique albino village of Bhatti tribe in rural Sindh, Pakistan”. Gerard Quinn and Theresia Degener, “Human rights and disability: the current use and future potential of United Nations human rights instruments in the context of disability” (Geneva, OHCHR, 2002). See also A/73/181. Submission from Japan. Submission from Eswatini. Submissions from Eswatini and Uganda. Submissions from Ghana and Uganda. Submissions from Colombia and Eswatini. Submissions from Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique and United Republic of Tanzania.