Afro-descendant women leaders, women from diverse communities and
different countries of the Americas and the Caribbean, aware of our
responsibility as committed women, fighters and promoters of
rights of women and defenders of human rights of societies and communities of
Latin American and Caribbean societies that we represent, as well as with and for
the international community to which we belong, we recognize the Declaration
of the United Nations Decade of People of African Descent 2015-2024, as an historic opportunity to create mechanisms for dialogue and political consultation in the 22 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in diversity, integration, cooperation, solidarity and development that will enable us to move towards societies and communities
that are democratic, free, diverse, equal, inclusive, and equitable with justice and peace.
In Latin America and the Caribbean there are around 200 million people
that identify themselves as descendants of African people; from slavery they have become
formal citizens of their nations and countries where they are located, however
these are not guaranteed citizenship participation, equality and equity. The
women have suffered gender discrimination combined with ethnic, racial, sexual, political and economic discrimination, among others.
We have not stopped fighting for our rights because peoples of African descent along with Indigenous peoples, are still together the poorest and most marginalized. Although some women of African descent hold decision making positions and are senior officials of their countries, the awareness and commitment to our identity is necessary as well as the creation of mechanisms and guarantees of resources for the advancement of public policies against racial discrimination and gender discrimination.
People of African descent still suffer multiple forms of aggravated and
concomitant discrimination on other related grounds such as gender, age,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, political opinion or
otherwise, social origin, property, different physical and sensory abilities,
birth and any other. The promotion and protection of human rights
of people of African descent should be a commitment not only ours but the
States and governments of Latin America and the Caribbean, including those countries to
where we migrated.
The Declaration and Program of Action of Durban recognized that
we were victims of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism and that
we continue to suffer the consequences. The Durban process enhanced the image
people of African descent and contributed to substantial progress to be made
in the promotion and protection of their rights as a result of the concrete measures
and actions taken by States, the United Nations, other organs
and regional and international civil society. Despite some social advances
racism and racial discrimination continue to manifest inequality and
disadvantages that mainly impact black women.
In this context, gathered in Nicaragua, at the First Summit, on the 26, 27 and 28th
of June 2015 under the theme “Afro Descendants: Recognition. Justice and
Development “, we reiterate our commitment to equality, fairness, diversity,
multiculturalism, peace, sustainable development, respect for Human rights
and against all forms of racism, reaffirming our vision of Latin America and the Caribbean as a region of opportunity for all.
Therefore we agreed:
1. Resume the specific objectives of the International Decade of People of African
Descent proclaimed by the United Nations relating to: i) Promote
respect, protection and realization of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, as recognized in
Universal Declaration of Human Rights; ii) Promote
greater understanding and respect for their diverse heritage and culture
of Afro descendants and their contribution to the development of societies; iii)
Approve and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks
accordance with the Declaration and Program of Action and the Durban
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial discrimination and ensure their full and effective implementation.
2. To promote the continued advocacy and participation in the OAS, mainly
in the promotion and capacity building of women of African descent and
its role in developing countries.
3. Resume agreement of CELAC, Jan.4, 2015 that states: “Encouraging
equality and gender equality implementing actions for incorporation
as central and crosscutting themes of public policies and States actions, especially aimed at promoting the empowerment of women and effective equality through diversity and taking into account all the stages of the life course; in particular, access to decent work,
quality education, information technologies and communication, health, to live free of all forms of discrimination and violence, to participate in equal footing in decision-making positions in all branches of State on its different levels, including regional and local governments, as determining factors for the consolidation of democracy and move towards a more participatory model, inclusive and respectful development of Women’s rights, taking into account the joint work with civil society, social organizations and the private sector; and the respective budget allocation for the development and implementation of public policiesfor equality. “Equally affect regional mechanisms as ALBA-TCP, UNASUR, MERCOSUR, CELAC and CAN.
4. To demand and influence states and governments of the region, to
integrate the proposals approved by the Political Platform of the First Summit of
Afro-descendant Women leaders of the Americas in the 17 thematic areas.
5. To influence the performance of the mechanisms and others to review and
monitor what may arise on the Fourth World Conference on Women,
the International Summit on Population and Development, the Convention on the
Eliminating all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the
Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence
against Women (Convention of Belem do Para), and the World Conference
on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
6. Advance the development and inclusion of indicators of gender, ethnicity and race,
in the census, surveys and other instruments that help us share more information on the conditions of life of people of African descent, particularly women.
7. Make visible the situation of social, economic and political exclusion
of Afro descendant women (adolescents, youth and adults) to
affect its inclusion in the mechanisms and institutions that strengthen
democracy, to promote political participation in the States
of the Region.
8. Rescuing the historical struggles of women of African descent in the region.
They have been the inspiration for the organization and mobilization of new struggles
in a diverse and changing context.
9. Coordinate with the International Cooperation to promote economic autonomy
for women of African descent through policies, programs and
development projects.
10. Promote the creation of the Special Fund for the Afro descendant population, by
the United Nations, with recognition and visibility
especially for women.
11. Create an observatory to monitor the political platform approved at
this first Summit, in the 22 countries where it the Network has a presence.
12. Perform within five years, halfway mark of the decade, the Second Summit
of Afro Descendant Women Leaders of the Americas, to see the progress made in the
objectives of our political platform.
In Managua, Nicaragua, on June 27th, 2015.
First Summit of Afro Descendant Women Leaders of the Americas
Declaration of the Diaspora
“Black Girls’ Lives Matter”
In the Diaspora, the Afro descendant community is facing a crisis that
is attacking our being, our body, our mind, our identity. One focus we
will prioritize is the first, “Combating racism is everyone’s
responsibility.” We want to name the reality facing people of African
descent that is not only a lack of diversity, but racism. Today we in
the Diaspora use the phrase, “Black Girls’ Lives Matter,” or is “Life of
black youth has value.” It is a modification of the popular phrase,
“Black Lives Matter” and why? That so far we have not recognized that
abuses suffered by black men, also affect black women. This is not only
against the African American community in the United States, but against
all people of African descent living in the Diaspora. No matter country
of birth, language or whether it be a child or adult. Today we declare
the names of the black girls who are forgotten when we think of racism:
– Rekia Boyd
– Aiyana Jones
– Yvette Smith
– Jessie Hernandez
Our goal is to not only raise the names of these victims, but also raise
awareness with the young women of the HER Project, (Hermanas Exchanging
Roots).
When women of African descent face racism -as Dajerria Becton, a girl of
14, who was wounded when a police officer used excessive force at a pool
party- that reveals the patriarchal and racist foundations of our
society.
We cannot walk in the street without the fear of facing
verbal, physical and emotional violence. We cannot separate our
experience of racism and oppression of our gender. In working with young
women, we will give them new tools to fight the two sides of the
violence.
We will support them to join together in the heritage they
have in common – that being black (regardless of nationality, language,
whatever), they are descendants of African Queens.
#BlackWomenUnited
Yvette Modestin- Coordinator of the Diaspora for the Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diaspora
Brandi Waters- Youth Coordinator in the Diaspora for the RMAAD
Representatives from 22 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean at the First Summit of Afro Descendent Women Leaders of the Americas- June 26-28th, 2015
We reiterate once again our solidarity with Haitian women and the population of that country.
Haiti, where the first movement of emancipation from slavery took place, has been a historical victim of racism and racial discrimination.
Their revolutionary proposal against colonialism has come with at a high political cost even today. Each day the people suffer new aggressions, each time more sophisticated and different which impedes them to complete their full emancipation.
Therefore, the participants of this first summit, urges social movements in general and governments to combat with force the daily abuse suffered by the Haitian population.
We appeal again to with force the necessary solidarity with Haiti and its legacy of struggle.
In Managua, Nicaragua at 28 of June 2015
