JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – The Rwandan government has banned skin-lightening cosmetics in their country in a bid to send the “Love the skin you’re in” message.
Rwandan president Paul Kagame raised concerns about the growing phenomenon of skin-lightening products on social media.
Skin lightening is a common practice among dark-skinned people in many parts of the world and most products used for this purpose contain powerful and prohibited toxins like hydroquinone and mercury.
According to reports, the country’s law enforcement agent, police officials have already embarked on a massive operation confiscating thousands of these skin lightening products since the closing weeks of 2018.
“We are now putting much effort, like educating people, going around and seizing those illegal products, so we are also joining those countries who are also in this fight of the use of those illegal skin-lightening cosmetics,” said Francois Uwinkindi, Cancer Unit Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, many products’ users have expressed anger and say they have every right to choose the way they wish to look.
Many African countries have banned skin bleaching products, but laws aren’t enforced and skin-whitening creams and soaps flood the markets in countries like Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mali.
© Bur-JHB – M.C / K.R – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_en
