Afro- descendants in Latin America: Poverty, Inequality and Discrimination

1
Afro- descendants in Latin America Poverty,
Inequality and Discrimination
ANNEX II
2
Where are they? Who are they?
3
The Afro descendant Population is concentrated
geographically
4
Poverty Rates are higher than national average
5
Unemployment is higher
6
Life is Harder for Afro-descendant Women
7
Infant Mortality is higher
8
ColombiaInfant Mortality in Groups 14 (rates
for 1,000 live births)
9
They are more vulnerable in situations of conflict

• In Colombia 22 per cent of internally displaced
  people are Afro Colombianstheir assets are not
  protected.

10
Discrimination

• In Qualitative research undertaken in Colombia,
  Ecuador, Peru, Afro descendants felt
  discriminated against in the education system, in
  the labor market, in obtaining housing, in the
  streetsin the political and judicial systems

11
Breaking the pattern of Inequality Building a
Rights Based Agenda

• Leveling the field in secondary and higher
  education is fundamental....
• Improving health infrastructure to reduce
  maternal/infant mortality...
• Equalizing opportunities for medium and high
  level employmentspecial programs are needed.
• Expanding access to assets of Afro Descendant
  communities, particularly in rural areas ( land,
  biodiversity, credit..).

12
Building a Rights Agenda (cont.d)

• It is urgent to improve national statistics to
  reflect the situation of afro descendants on
  health, education, conflict, employment,
  participation in financial markets, etc.
• The Millennium Development goals must be a
  benchmark to measure poverty reduction among afro
  descendants..

13
Strengthening Civil Society

• International Development institutions have a key
  role to play in supporting Afro Descendant NGOs-
  technically and financially- and in strengthening
  community organizations.

14
Are you black? No !!Your grandmother? Perhaps
15
Breaking Sheer Discrimination

• Working with governments, civil society groups
  and the afro descendant community to understand
  and act upon (self) discriminatory patterns,
  attitudes and behavior