Development of intervention strategies to address the abuse and brutal killing of people with albinism in KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2023
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University of Zululand
Abstract
This phenomenological qualitative study’s aim was to recommend intervention strategies to address the abuse and brutal killing of People with Albinism (PWA) in KwaZulu-Natal, based on the participants’ (PWA and social workers) experiences and knowledge. Interest in this study was triggered by the researcher’s interactions with PWA, while rendering counselling to them due to their experience of abuse or witnessing or hearing about the brutal killings of other PWA. In addition, the continuous media coverage and observation of PWA being abused, murdered, stigmatised and marginalised by community members and strangers highlight the gross violation of a vulnerable group of people. The study was underpinned by two theoretical frameworks which are namely ecological systems theory and resilience theory.
The sample included twenty-six PWA and ten (10) social workers, who had two years or more experience of counselling PWA who had in turn experienced, observed or heard about the abuse and killing of PWA. The study was conducted in two municipalities in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa, namely eThekwini Metropolitan and uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the participants’ experiences, perceptions, observations and opinions on the abuse and brutal killing of PWA to recommend intervention strategies to address this scourge. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Social workers and people with albinism agreed that people with albinism are abused and brutally murdered. The study findings revealed that among the people with albinism who were interviewed, there were those who had experienced abuse from the public and those who witnessed abuse. The study findings also showed that people with albinism are abused in many different ways. One of the key abuses is that people with albinism are discriminated
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against because of their skin colour and are labelled with different names. The study findings showed that people with albinism usually suffer from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as possible killing. The findings highlighted several factors contributing to the abuse and brutal killing of PWA. These factors are not limited to a lack of awareness, cultural beliefs and practices, as well as inadequate knowledge of people with albinism. It was revealed that the body parts of people with albinism are believed to be a useful solution in healing and bringing fortune to one’s life.
The findings of the study have refuted claims that having sexual intercourse with a person with albinism eliminates or cures those infected with HIV/ or AIDS. Despite the fact that people with albinism are living in fear, the findings of the study showed that they have very strong support from family members and teachers who provide them with first-aid help. The study concluded that the reason serious cases of abuse of people with albinism are known is because such cases are reported to social workers, police-stations, families and neighbours as well as schools. Finally, the study findings highlighted several roles that social workers play in an attempt to provide counselling to those who have experienced abuse and those who have witnessed it. Several intervention strategies were made which are not limited to a need for government to be fully involved in raising awareness of the abuse of people with albinism, educating the public about the wrong act of abusing people with albinism. The study also recommended that social workers needed to be fully versed on cases of abuse and murder of people with albinism. The full thesis is available in the University of Zululand Institutional Repository and other publications from the thesis.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2023.