The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the challenges the leprosy-affected community face: deep and widespread stigma, discrimination, misinformation, unfounded fear, besides living with the disease itself. IPS senior correspondent STELLA PAUL looks at the challenges they face ahead of World Leprosy Day on Jan. 31
Participants from organisations focused on assisting Hansen’s disease-affected people from Asia, Latin America and Africa with World Health Organisation (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, Yohei Sasakawa (centre pink shirt) pictured in 2019. Participants were attending the Global Forum of People’s Organisations on Hansen’s disease in Manila, Philippines, which was sponsored by the Sasakawa Health Foundation and The Nippon Foundation. Credit: Stella Paul/IPS
Right to Work Is Theme of 16th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy to Be Launched with Endorsement of International Trade Union Confederation
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TOKYO and BRUSSELS, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ The 16
th Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy will be launched in an online ceremony on January 31, 2021, World Leprosy Day.
Global Appeal 2021
Representing the ITUC, which promotes and defends the rights of workers worldwide, will be General Secretary Sharan Burrow, who says in a video message that the continued existence of leprosy points to the vulnerability of our health systems, the underfunding, the lack of attention to diseases that overwhelmingly affect the poor more than the rich.