Presentations and Publications

PUBLICATIONS

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Beaman, L., de Waal, M., Ibhawoh, B., Imafidon, E., Kromberg, J., Leech, R., Mazibuko, N., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Mooa, R. S., Msipa, D., Senkoro, P., Sharma, S., Tettey, W., Tjope, T., Wiafe, B., Buyco, M., & Strobell, E. (In press). A comparative analysis of the critical resilience and gender equity of mothers impacted by albinism: Promising practices from Tanzania and South Africa. Public Health Challenges.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Rieger, K., Astle, B., Buyco, M., Daklo, D.A., Dixon, D., Ero, I., Ibhawoh, B., Keitseomore, I.T., Kromberg, J., Lang, M., Leech, R., Mazibuko, N., Mokwele, M., Nesengani, T.V., Ohene, L., Senkoro, P., Siaity-Pallangyo, E., Terblanche, L., Tettey, W., Tjope, M., Tshuma, L., Watts, I., & Wilson, J. (2025). A participatory systematic review on human rights and the birth of a child with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa. Women’s Health, 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251395420

Mayich, K., Rashid, N., Siebert, C., Amankona, R., Tugbe, A., Osei, E., Buyco, M., Astle, B., & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2025). The situation of mothers impacted by albinism in sub-Saharan Africa: A video analysis. Spectrum, 15. https://doi.org/10.29173/spectrum303

Buyco, M., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., de Waal, M., Kromberg, J., Mazibuko, N., Mgijima-Konopi, I, Mogale, S., Msipa, D., Strobell, E., Thabethe, M., & Tjope, M. (2025). Access to healthcare by mothers impacted by albinism in South Africa. Southern Africa Journal on Albinism and Socio-Economic Rights. pp. 12-23. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr01/9487/2025/en/

Ero, I., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Strobell, E., Buyco, M. (2024). Women human rights defenders: A case of activism of mothers of children with albinism in Tanzania. In M.H. Rioux, A. Buettgen, E. Zubrow, & J. Viera (eds), Handbook of disability (pp. 1439-1457). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6056-7_15

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Kromberg, J., Mgijima-Konopi, I. Mooa, S., de Waal, M., Buyco, M., Ero, I., Msipa, D., Nesengani, V., Mazibuko, N., Leech, R., & Tjope, M. (2024). Birth stories of South African mothers of children with albinism: A critical human rights analysis. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 20(100650). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2023.100650

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Beaman, L., Ibhawoh, B., Sawatzky, R. Tettey, W., Buyco, M., & Strobell, E. (2024). Mapping a research-advocacy-policy agenda on human rights and albinism: A mixed methods project. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02064-5

Buyco, M.A.B. (2023). The experiences of sibling dyads impacted by albinism in Africa: An interpretive description study [Master’s thesis, Trinity Western University]. https://twu.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/twu%3A893

Astle, B., Buyco, M., Ero, I. & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2023). Global impact of climate change on persons with albinism: A human rights issue. Journal of Climate Change and Health, 9(100190). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100190

Ibhawoh, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Beaman, L., Senkoro, P., Astle, B., Strobell, E., & Imafidon, E. (2022). Shifting wrongs to rights: Lessons in human rights from the situation of mothers impacted by albinism in Africa. Journal of Human Rights Practice. 14(3), 838–858. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huac038 Available here.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., Astle, B., Buyco, M. & Strobell, E. (2022). UN resolution on the elimination of harmful practices and the protection of human rights of mothers impacted by albinism. Journal of Global Health, 12(03029). https://jogh.org/2022/jogh-12-03029

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Strobell, E., & Astle, B. (2021). Mothering and albinism: Recommendations for disability rights in Africa. African Disability Rights Yearbook. University of Pretoria. https://www.adry.up.ac.za/section-c-2021/reimer-kirkham-s-ero-i-mgijima-konopi-i-strobell-e-astle-b

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Imafidon, E., & Strobell, E. (2020). Mothering, albinism and human rights: The disproportionate impact of health-related stigma in Tanzania. Foundation of Science., 27, 719–740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-020-09701-0

Strobell, E. (2020). Exploring the experience of mothers who have children with albinism in Tanzania: A critical ethnography [Master’s thesis, Trinity Western University]. https://twu.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/twu%3A623

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Panchuk, K., & Dixon, D. (2019). Albinism, spiritual and cultural practices, and implications for health, healthcare, and human rights: a scoping review. Disability & Society, 34(5), 747-774. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2019.1566051 Available here.

Report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism on the round table on human rights and albinism: Seeking consensus and priorities on advocacy and research. A/HRC/40/62/Add.2 URL: https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/40/62/Add.2 [prepared by Reimer-Kirkham, S, Astle, B., Panchuk, K., & Strobell, E]

PRESENTATIONS

Nesengani, T.V., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Mooa, R.S., Astle, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., &, Buyco, M. (2025, October 23-24). Touchpoints in birth attendants’ experiences delivering babies born with albinism: Perspectives from South Africa. Albinism Beyond 2030 – Legal and Healthcare Pathways to Inclusion. University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Imafidon, E. (Panel Chair), Sharma, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Rieger, K., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Strengthening human rights advocacy approaches along the lines of gender, disability, and albinism. Roundtable at the International Conference on Albinism, Lancaster, England, September 16 – 17, 2025. Roundtable papers:

  • Sharma, S. (September, 17, 2025). Theoretical foundations considerations for the study of gender and albinism.
  • Astle, B. (September 17, 2025). Intersectoral approaches to research on albinism and human rights.
  • Ero, I. (September 17, 2025). Recommendations for countering sexual and gender-based violence and empowering women with disabilities,including women impacted by albinism.
  • Rieger, K. (September, 17, 2025). Mitigating the experiences around the birth of an infant with albinism are imbricated with violence.
  • Reimer-Kirkham, S. (September 17, 2025). How human rights defenders—women impacted by albinism and community and faith leaders—become more impactful through agency and capacity-building.

Astle, B. Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2025). Climate injustice: Advocating for a transdisciplinary equity-centred approach for persons with albinism. Paper presented at the International Conference on Albinism, September 15 – 17th, 2025, Lancaster, UK.

Buyco, M., Reimer-Kirkham, S. & Astle, B. (2025). Supporting siblings impacted by albinism through a family-centred approach. Paper presented at the International Conference on Albinism, September 15 – 17th, 2025, Lancaster, UK.

Mooa, S., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I. (2025). The misinformation and cultural beliefs related to albinism among traditional healers in Gauteng province. Paper presented at the International Conference on Albinism, September 15 – 17th, 2025, Lancaster, UK.

Rieger, K. Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Mooa, R. (2025). Transforming worlds: The role of art in human rights advocacy for people with albinism. Paper presented at the International Conference on Albinism, September 15 – 17th, 2025, Lancaster, UK.

Panel at the African Studies Association Annual Meeting (Chicago, USA, December 12-14, 2024): Albinism, Human Rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Critical and Creative Perspectives:

  • Introduction – Wisdom Tettey
  • Advancing Gender Justice for Women impacted by Albinism – Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham
  • Framing the Rights of Persons with Albinism within the Global Human Rights Movement – Bonny Ibhawoh
  • Climate Justice: Human Rights for Persons with Albinism – Dr. Barbara Astle,
  • Health Equity & Respectful Maternity Care as Pathways to the Enjoyment of Human Rights for Women Impacted by Albinism – Ramadimetja Shirley Mooa and Tintswalo Victoria Nesengani
  • Albinism, Art, and Activism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Walking Together in Good Ways – Kendra Rieger
  • Discussion – Ikponwosa Ero

Astle, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., Buyco, M., & Rieger, K. (2024, March 23). Planetary Health: Protecting the health and well-being of persons with albinism in Africa and globally. Planetary Health: Protecting & Sustaining the Well-being of our Ecosystems Conference co-hosted by the School of Nursing & Faculty of Applied Sciences. Trinity Western University (TWU), Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Reimer-Kirkham, S. (October 20, 2023). Critical resilience: A research-advocacy- policy network addressing human rights with mothers impacted by albinism in Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana. Create Conference. Trinity Western University, Canada. [Acknowledgements: Mothering & Albinism team].

Buyco, M., Reimer-Kirkham, S. & Astle, B. (October 16-18, 2023 – Virtual). Supporting siblings impacted by albinism through a family-centred approach. Canadian Conference on Global Health. From Rhetoric to action: Moving research, policy and practice. Ottawa, Canada.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Mooa, S.,  Ero, I., Beaman, B., De Waal, M., Ibhawoh, B., Imafidon, E., Kromberg, J., Leech, R., Mazibuko, N., Mgijima- Konopi, I., Msipa, D., Nesengani, V., Senkoro, P., Sharma, S., Tettey, W., Tjope, M., Wiafe, B., Buyco, M., & Strobell, E. (September 13-15, 2023 – Virtual). Promoting the Resilience of Mothers Impacted by Albinism in South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana Through Access to Community Services. University of Pretoria. Centring Ubuntu Health Care in Society 5.0: A Transdisciplinary Agenda During Covid-19 and Beyond. Pretoria, South Africa.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Buyco, M., de Waal, M., Ero, I., & Mooa, S. (July 1-5, 2023). Access to healthcare for mothers impacted by albinism in Tanzania and South Africa. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress. Nurses together: A force for global health. Montreal, Canada. [Acknowledgements: Kromberg, J., Mazibuko, N., Mgijma-Kononpi, I., Misipa, D., Senkoro, P., Strobell, E., & Tjope, M].

Mooa, R. S., Astle, B., De Waal, M., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Reimer-Kirkham, S. & Nesengani, V. (July 1-5, 2023). Moral Emotions (and feelings) in caring for children with albinism in South Africa: The voices of the mothers [e-poster]. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress. Nurses together: A force for global health. Montreal, Canada. [Acknowledgements: Kromberg, J., Mazibuko, N., Misipa, D., Buyco, M., Strobell, E., & Tjope, M].

Astle, B. & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (July 1-5, 2023). Nurses leading an intersectoral transdisciplinary partnership for persons with albinism and human rights [e-poster]. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress. Nurses together: A force for global health. Montreal, Canada.

Buyco, M., Reimer-Kirkham, S. & Astle (July 1-5, 2023). Family-centred approach: Nurses’ support for siblings impacted by albinism [e-poster]. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress. Nurses together: A force for global health. Montreal, Canada.

Buyco, M., Senkoro, P., Strobell, E., Reimer-Kirkham, S. & Astle, B. (August 26, 2022 – virtual). Mothering and albinism: Faith leaders as human rights defenders. Create Conference. Trinity Western University, Canada.

Astle, B. & Ero, E. (May 20, 2022 – Invited Keynote). Contributing to a global human rights movement for persons with albinism: A research-policy-advocacy network. International Joint Commission for Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO). Vancouver, Canada.

Astle, B., Mgijima-Konopi, I., Buyco, M., De Waal, M., Ero, I., Kromberg, J., Mazibuko, N., Mogale, S., Msipa, D., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Strobell, E., Thabethe, M., Tjope, M. (November 24 – 26th, 2021 [Virtual]). Applying a decolonizing lens to a South Africa-Canada intersectoral partnership on mothering and albinism during the global pandemic [Poster]. 27th Canadian Conference on Global Health/ Conférence Canadienne sur la santé mondiale. Ottawa & Virtual, Canada.

Ero, I., Tettey, W., Strobell, E., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B. & Buyco, M. (November 4, 2021- Invited). Graduate Seminar: Mothering, Albinism, & Human Rights [Development, Policy, & Power]. University of Toronto at Scarborough, Canada.

Buyco, M., Strobell, E., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B. (August 28, 2020- Virtual). Recognizing human rights in the everyday: Multidisciplinary research on albinism and human rights in Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana. Research and Creativity Symposium, Trinity Western University. Langley, BC.

Strobell, E., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B. (August 12, 2020 – Virtual). Mothers of children with albinism in Tanzania share their experience: Survival, resilience, and voices for change. University of Witwatersrand, Division of Human Genetics Seminar Series. Johannesburg, South Africa.

Astle, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., & Strobell, E. (February 1, 2020 – Invited). Humanizing the experiences of persons with albinism: Global perspectives on human rights and access to health and social services. Annual Rocky Mountain Eye Conference (Eye Physicians and Surgeons Association of Alberta) International Joint Commission for Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO) Satellite Meeting. Banff, Canada.

Strobell, E., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B. (October 17, 2019). Engaging the experiences of mothers impacted by albinism in Tanzania: An ethnographic study towards health equity. In Canadian Society for International Health, Canadian Conference on Global Health, Governance for Global Health: Power, Politics and Justice. Presentation given at the 25th Annual Canadian Conference on Global Health, Ottawa, ON. 

Reimer-Kirkham, S, Astle, B., Panchuk, K., & Strobell, E. (May 9, 2019).  Nothing about us without us.  Lightning Talk, Inspiring Person-Centredness:  A Call to Action Conference, Vancouver, BC.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Panchuk, K, Strobell, E., & Dixon, D. (January 10, 2019).  Witchcraft, albinism, and human rights: Evidence from a mixed methods study. Paper presented at Witchcraft and Human Rights: Past, Present and Future Conference, Lancaster, UK.

Reimer-Kirkham, S. (November 16, 2018). Albinism and human rights.  Pecha Kucha presentation.  Royal Society of Canada Celebration of Excellence Annual Meeting.  Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Astle, B., Reimer-Kirkham, S., Ero, I., Panchuk, K., Strobell, E. (November 20, 2018).  The influence of spiritual and cultural practices on healthcare for persons with albinism: Insights from a scoping review.  Paper presented at 24th Annual Canadian Conference on Global Health, Toronto, ON.

Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Dixon, D., Janzen, K., & Panchuk, K. (July 13, 2017). A scoping review on the health implications of spiritual and cultural practices for persons with albinism: A global health perspective. Paper presented at the XI Eta and Region 1 – 2017 International Nursing Research and Leadership Conference:  Vancouver, B.C.

Presentation by Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham