Kenya Albinos
The Mr. and Miss Albinism East Africa contest is a groundbreaking beauty pageant for people with albinism, first held in Kenya in 2018. The event, which saw participants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem and confidence of albinos, who remain the target of sometimes deadly stigma in some parts of Africa.
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A contestant checks her makeup in a mirror as she prepares to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Kenyan contestant Lucianah Nyawira, 21, does her makeup as she prepares to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Albino girls Shirlyne 7, left, and Rebecca Zawadi, 8, right, stand by a large television screen as they wait for the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Albino girl Rebecca Zawadi, 8, right, sits next to Marion Jacklin, center-left, who helps train the contestants, as they wait for the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant talks on her mobile phone while having her makeup done as she prepares to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant wears a traditional costume including animal hides and a skull, as he prepares to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant checks her makeup in a mirror as she prepares to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Contestants queue up to take the stage in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant performs in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant helps another adjust his suit as they prepare to perform in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant wearing a traditional costume of animal hides performs in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Albino girl Shirlyne 7, looks up at her aunt, left, and asks her to paint her nails as she waits for the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Kenyan contestant Lucianah Nyawira, 21, wears a traditional costume as she performs in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Albino girl Shirlyne 7, tries her hand on the catwalk before the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Contestants practice their catwalk moves as they prepare for the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Albino girl Elsie Lynn, 6, has her makeup done a she waits for the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant wearing a traditional costume of animal hides performs in the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A contestant looks at her mobile phone after having her makeup done as she prepares for the start of the "Mr. & Miss Albinism East Africa" contest, organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The event aims to promote social inclusion and raise the self-esteem of albinos, who frequently face discrimination and stigma. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
