Commemorating the struggle for the rights of women of African descent against racism and sexism

In Latin America, there are more than 200 million people who self-identify as Afro-descendants, of which more than 95 million are women. However, for Afro-descendant girls and women, their racial and gender condition has placed them at a socioeconomic, political, and cultural disadvantage throughout history. Therefore, as a society, it is imperative to recognize the structural existence of conditions that subordinate, exclude, violate, stereotype, or discriminate against Afro-descendant women.

The proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent is the result of a long process of mobilization by social movements and organizations around the world. The Durban Conference was a significant historical moment of integration between Afro-descendant peoples, where women claimed their ancestral rights.

On this matter, we, Afro-descendant women, have much to say, as custodians of culture and ancestry. The struggle to preserve our own identity served to establish State commitments and obligations, which today translate into the recognition of some rights.

However, despite efforts to ensure that we have policies oriented towards addressing the inequalities faced by Afro-descendant peoples and communities, these often lack an intersectional and gender perspective to address the particularities and challenges faced by Afro-descendant girls and women in the full exercise of their human rights.

This situation is particularly critical when we find that Afro-descendant women face multiple forms of discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, and gender. Furthermore, there are distinguishing factors that impact their lives, which are associated with the lack of opportunities in education, employment, housing and access to health services (particularly those related to sexual and reproductive health) among other areas. Poverty, and gender violence directly limit Afro-descendant women’s physical, political, economic, social, and cultural autonomy.

This March 8th, within the context of International Women's Day, as well as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, it is imperative that we reflect on the particular situation of Afro-descendant women and demand with urgency that states adopt concrete measures through the approval and effective implementation of national and international legal frameworks, and of policies and programs to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance that Afro-descendant women face, in order to transform the reality of racism, sexism, and exclusion that impacts them daily.

We are aware that the structural discrimination prevailing in all of our societies and forms of organization is a limitation to the autonomy and empowerment of women, and particularly to Afro-descendant women. Hence, we reiterate our call for reliable statistical information that accounts for the real situation of Afro-descendant women.

It is also necessary that public policies, budgets, plans, and programs include a gender and intersectionality perspective in their formulation and implementation, so that they take into account the specific needs and realities of Afro-descendant women in all spheres of their lives.

In addition, we need to strengthen the leadership of Afro-descendant women and ensure their participation in spaces of political representation and decision-making. This is fundamental to advance towards a more just and equitable society.

It is time to demonstrate that the Sustainable Development Goals are a real commitment to Afro-descendant women. The 2030 Agenda 2030 be just another unfulfilled promise, like so many documents and declarations that have had minimal impact. It is necessary to issue an urgent call to action, because it is unacceptable that the life expectancy of Afro-descendant women is lower than that of their non-Black counterparts.

The current reality forces us to work in unity because the reality of Afro-descendant peoples repeats itself all over the globe. It is in the high rates of poverty, unemployment, or crime involving Afro-descendant youth in our region. We see it when Afro-descendant youth are murdered daily in Brazil and Colombia. Or when Afro-descendant women die in childbirth due to lack of access to prenatal or postpartum care.

Urgent measures are needed to eliminate the high rates of teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, and maternal mortality faced by Afro-descendant girls and women today.

It is necessary for Afro-descendant women to have access to decision-making at the local, national, and international level. In the United Nations system, governments and parliaments, among others.

Similarly, it is necessary for Afro-descendant women to have access to technologies and financial resources for the development of their businesses, like the Afro-descendant Development Fund or the Global Reparations Bank.

Afro-descendant women must be at the forefront of decision-making spaces to be able to monitor international commitments, raise our concerns, demands, and strategies, and to advance in the recognition of our rights. We must also be part of the debate on climate change and land protection because the impacts of the climate crisis are imminent in our communities and directly affect us.

As Afro-descendant women, we have the right to live a life free from violence, with access to sexual and reproductive health services, housing, and dignified employment. Afro-descendant women must be at the forefront of recognition, justice, and development efforts. As Afro-descendant women, we deserve the same rights and opportunities. We must close the gaps of inequality that hinder the full exercise of our human rights.

The current Decade for People of African Descent poses many challenges for women, coordination with strategic actors such as Civil Society, State, and International Organizations at the regional level is critical. The goal is to set clear objectives that allow for the improvement of the quality of life for Afro-descendant girls and women.

Today more than ever, we need concrete actions that enable the inclusion of Afro-descendant women in the present and future economy. Because we need to ensure that Afro-descendant women are leaders of our history and weavers of our future.

Epsy Campbell Barr

Founder and Director of the Global Coalition Against Systemic Racism and for Reparations

ACTION NOW AGAINST THE SYSTEMIC RACISM EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT!!

A movement for ACTION – demand JUSTICE – LISTEN-SUPPORT and REPAIR.