He recognizes their immense contributions to society but also recognizes the challenges they face due to the double burden of racism and sexism.
Although women and girls of African origin embody strength, resilience and unexploited potential, they remain among the most marginalized groups in the world due to the intersection of racial, gender and socio-economic discrimination.
For example, they suffer from alarmed maternal mortality rate, according to the UN reproductive health agency, Unfpa. Often, cases are not linked to income or education, but rather to racism and structural inequalities resulting from a heritage of slavery and colonialism.
“The good news is that these things are not irreversible,” said Patricia Dasilva, agency senior program advisor UN News.
“We can repair them. We have the solutions for many problems that we face in terms of maternal health for women and girls of African origin. ”
Data and solutions
The UNFPA recommends stronger health systems and investments in midwife programs, culturally sensitive training for health care providers and data collection improvements.
The agency also invests in partnerships, such as an initiative in the Pacific region in Colombia, which houses large communities of people of African origin.
“We have worked with traditional midwives to integrate ancestral knowledge into modern health practices.
“It looks like a really simple thing, but when you are in a distant community without access to technology, without access to administrative offices, it becomes this really important problem. »»
Change agents
Ms. Dasilva confirmed the theme for International DayWho focuses on women and girls of African origin as managers, not only the beneficiaries.
“I think it is important that the international community, the global community, understands that women and girls of African origin are not beneficiaries of aid. They are leaders. They are innovators. They are agents of change, ”she said.
“We have an opportunity and even an obligation and a responsibility to support resources for their solutions, to raise their voices and to continue to really double our efforts to dismantle the structural barriers which continue to hinder their progress.”
The first celebration of international day coincides with the start of the second international decade for people of African origin, which takes place until 2034.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
