Rwanda Is Sending Officials To Reinforce Countrywide Ban on Skin Bleaching Products
The Rwandan government has called on authorities to seize products from markets in Kigali and across the country.
Video still via Al Jazeera
Rwanda has seriously cracked down on the sale of skin bleaching and skin lightening products in the country, CNN reports.
Its ministry of health, food and drug authority, as well as the standards board have made calls to send officials to seize products from markets in Kigali and in provinces across the Rwanda in lieu of the country's campaign against skin bleaching.
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"Operations are being conducted by technical people," Simeon Kwizera, public relations and communications officer of the Rwanda Standard Board tells CNN. "The police is there to oversee only and make sure that all operations are being conducted in a safe way."
CNN adds that the standards board informed the public back in December to be wary of the alternative names for hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that is prohibited in commercial cosmetics.
Rwandan police say over 5,000 banned products have been confiscated from beauty shops across the country so far.
Despite the increased awareness around the dangers of skin bleaching in African communities are being implemented into action, the niche still shows itself to be a cash cow—taking advantage of the impact of self-hate. Revisit the outrage Blac Chyna and Cameroonian singer Dencia sparked when they launched their collaboration skin lightening product in Lagos here - Blac Chyna Launching Her Collab Line with Dencia of 'Whitenicious'.
