Why Malawians With Albinism Face Stigma And Violence

Edna Cedrick,26, holds her surviving albino son after his twin brother who had albinism was snatched from her arms in a violent struggle in this Tuesday, May, 24, 2016 photo in Machinga about 200 kilometres north east of Blantyre Malawi. Cedrick says she is haunted daily by images of the decapitated head of her 9 year old son.At least 18 Albino people have been killed in Malawi in a “steep upsurge in killings” since November 2014, and five others have been abducted and remain missing, a new Amnesty International report released Tuesday, June 7 2016 says.
Edna Cedrick holds her surviving albino son after his twin brother who had albinism was snatched from her arms in a violent struggle in 2016. Cedrick says she is haunted daily by images of the decapitated head of her 9 year old son. At least 18 Albino people have been killed in Malawi in a "steep upsurge in killings" since November 2014, and five others have been abducted and remain missing, according to Amnesty International. Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi / AP Photo
Edna Cedrick,26, holds her surviving albino son after his twin brother who had albinism was snatched from her arms in a violent struggle in this Tuesday, May, 24, 2016 photo in Machinga about 200 kilometres north east of Blantyre Malawi. Cedrick says she is haunted daily by images of the decapitated head of her 9 year old son.At least 18 Albino people have been killed in Malawi in a “steep upsurge in killings” since November 2014, and five others have been abducted and remain missing, a new Amnesty International report released Tuesday, June 7 2016 says.
Edna Cedrick holds her surviving albino son after his twin brother who had albinism was snatched from her arms in a violent struggle in 2016. Cedrick says she is haunted daily by images of the decapitated head of her 9 year old son. At least 18 Albino people have been killed in Malawi in a "steep upsurge in killings" since November 2014, and five others have been abducted and remain missing, according to Amnesty International. Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi / AP Photo

Why Malawians With Albinism Face Stigma And Violence

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In southeast Africa, Albinism has been stigmatized for years. In recent years, Malawi has seen a steep surge of violence against people with the condition.

Reports say that more than 115 people have been attacked in the past two years, leaving 20 of them dead.

Peter Ash is the founder and CEO of Under the Same Sun, an NGO working to fight against stigmatization of people living with Albinism. He joins us to discuss the flurry of violence.