Governor Proclaims International Face Equality Week 2024

INTERNATIONAL FACE EQUALITY WEEK

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, facial disfigurement/difference caused by any reason is a neglected global human rights issue that affects 10 percent of the population and approximately one million people in North Carolina; Face Equality International (FEI) has united 37 global nonprofits, including Facing Forward, Inc. and the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, to abolish the stigma, prejudice, and discrimination toward people with facial differences; and

WHEREAS, facial disfigurement/facial difference can include unusual-looking, scarred, or asymmetric facial features from any cause, including congenital disabilities, injuries, disease, violent crimes, accidents, and trauma; examples of disfigurement include scars, birthmarks, conditions of the skin, or any impairment that restricts typical facial expressions such as Bell’s Palsy, Moebius Syndrome, and cleft lip and palate; and

WHEREAS, those who may experience disfigurement include veterans, vehicle accident survivors, trauma survivors, cancer survivors, people with medical and congenital conditions, victims of violent crimes, and civilians injured in war; and

WHEREAS, people with facial disfigurement often experience stigmatization, discrimination, and prejudice based on deeply ingrained cultural beliefs about disfigurement perpetuated by stereotypical misrepresentation in media; and

WHEREAS, people with disfigurement can experience life-long intrusive staring, abuse, teasing, bullying, social isolation, prejudice, discrimination in school and the workplace, and abuse on social media solely because of their appearance; and

WHEREAS, people with facial disfigurement/difference often experience social and economic inequities that hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others; and

WHEREAS, organizations that serve populations with facial disfigurement help those affected live fully by providing comprehensive information, support, and connections to interdisciplinary teams and resources; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages people to raise awareness around those with facial disfigurement/difference, and to adopt measures to foster respect for the rights and dignity of individuals with disfigurement;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 13 – 19, 2024, as “INTERNATIONAL FACE EQUALITY WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

________________________________________

Roy Cooper

Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this third day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.