The Steering Committee for People of African descent in Ireland that is working with the Government of Ireland to implement the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) , in collaboration with AkiDwA, invites you to an online conference, Women of African Descent, Recognition, Justice, and Development which will be held on 27th April from 3-5pm IST.
Adopted in 2014 The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) seeks to address injustice and discrimination faced by people of African descent globally, by reflecting on and considering the history of discrimination and mistreatment of people of African and African Descent since slavery, colonialism through to contemporary times. As noted by Durban Declaration and Programme for Action in article 69: racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance reveal themselves in a differentiated manner for women and girls and can be among the factors leading to a deterioration in their living conditions, poverty, violence, multiple forms of discrimination, and the limitation or denial of their human rights.
Migration has been a key trigger of mental health for African women in Europe, the conditions that make women leave their countries and migration journey affect many women even before arrival, while others do not make it to countries of destination. In 2017, 26 young Nigerian women perished at the Mediterranean Sea enroute to Italy for example. Majority are affected by conflict, war, violence while others are survivors of gender specific harm which includes Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and rape. In EU estimates, there are 600,000 African women within Europe living with the consequences of FGM. Further 190,000 girls in 17 European countries alone are at risk of being mutilated. African women often suffer high maternal mortality due to limited access to maternal health care and as Black women, they are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women due to factors including variations in quality health care, structural racism, and implicit bias. On arrival to countries of destination in Europe, Women of African Descent are hampered by many challenges which include, language barrier, lack of access to justice, tough immigration laws, exploitation, and re-trafficking. Immigration status of each woman determines support and integration prospects and the majority spend up to 10 years in Limbo, waiting to be granted refugee status or residency permits.
This conference will highlight the intersectionality between migration, gender, racism and discrimination in the European context and will articulate how the three key objectives (Recognition, Access to Justice and Development) of the international decade for people of African descent can be applied to achieve better outcomes for women of African descent in Europe.
The conference will focus on key areas listed below and speakers from at least five EU countries will give their Countries’ perspectives of the situation of Women of African Descent in one of these four areas, followed by open discussions:
1. Gender based violence.
2. Health (Mental health & Reproductive health)
3. Employment
4. Access to support and Services.
We look forward to your participation.
Here is an Eventbrite link with which to register for and to access the conference <https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/women-of-african-descent-in-europe-recognition-justice-and-development-tickets-585276205887> The attached posters also have a QR code with which to access the same.
Kind regards,
Dr Salome Mbugua
