Daniella Boima Garrick of Sierra Leone has been crowned the first-ever Miss Albinism Africa in Harare. The pageant, held as part of the African Diversity Festival, represents a notable development in promoting the rights and visibility of people with albinism throughout the continent.
Following her triumph, Garrick, 21, returned to Freetown, where she was seen showcasing her pageant walk, radiating confidence with her crown and sash. She was accompanied by Hamid Mo Karama, who earned the title of Mr. Albinism Africa second runner-up.
In a powerful statement, Garrick addressed the discrimination often faced by individuals with albinism. "My message to people who discriminated against me in the past or who currently discriminate against me or people with albinism in general is that I hope they've learned something, that we are more than just people with albinism. We are humans just like them," she asserted.
She continued, emphasizing the importance of empathy and acceptance: "I hope they understand that people with albinism are beautiful humans, and they have feelings, and that they should stop the discrimination, stigmatization, and segregation as well."
Garrick's message of empowerment resonated widely. Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone's Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, lauded her achievement in a social media post, hailing the newly crowned queen as a "beacon of beauty, bravery, and inclusion."
The Mr. and Miss Albinism Africa contest was a cornerstone of the African Diversity Festival, an initiative designed to spotlight and raise awareness for often-overlooked communities. Ten candidates from various African nations participated in the event, organized by the Albinism Dare to Dream Initiative. Pageant director Biata Nyamayarohighlighted the event's role in fostering "constructive diversity." The story is from Viory.