EHRC and partners marked World Leprosy Day with a visit to Alert Hospital and Association for Persons with Leprosy

© Fiorente A./ILO

Persons affected by leprosy and their family members should be treated as people with dignity and are entitled, on an equal basis with others, to all the human rights and fundamental freedoms. They should not be discriminated against on the grounds of having or having had leprosy and should have the same rights as everyone else with respect to marriage, family and parenthood. (UN Guiding principles Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family, 2015) 

Early medical treatment for Leprosy can prevent disability. In Ethiopia persons affected by leprosy and their families face multiple forms of discrimination and are exposed to severe social, economic and psychological pressure due to misconceptions and lack of understandings about leprosy and people affected by leprosy.

Since 1954, World Leprosy Day has been commemorated on the last Sunday of January. In Ethiopia this year the day was marked by a visit to ALERT Hospital and to the National Association of Persons affected by Leprosy followed by a panel discussion.

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