UNESCO celebrates international day of African and Afro-descendant Women
July 3 marks the International Day of African and Afro-descendant Women, celebrated this year at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. A moment to honor the contributions and challenges of African women worldwide.
On July 3rd, UNESCO will host a significant event: the International Day of African and Afro-descendant Women. This annual event celebrates the leadership, achievements, and challenges faced by Black women around the world. It’s a day dedicated to recognizing their contributions to society, promoting gender equality, and combating racial and gender discrimination.
First initiated in 1992 at the 3rd Summit of Women of the Organization of African Unity in Dakar, this day has since been adopted as a global platform for awareness and mobilization. It aims to enhance the visibility of African and Afro-descendant women, promote their rights, and celebrate their cultural and social diversity.
Education, health, economic empowerment, and political representation of African and Afro-descendant women
Each year, this event brings together activists, researchers, political leaders, and artists who share their expertise, experiences, and perspectives on critical issues facing Black women. Panel discussions, artistic performances, and exhibitions are planned to highlight their successes while addressing persistent barriers to their full emancipation.
This year’s edition at UNESCO will feature interventions from opinion leaders and influential organizations, emphasizing the importance of education, health, economic empowerment, and political representation of African and Afro-descendant women. These themes will be discussed within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
Additionally, the day will serve as a platform to launch initiatives aimed at strengthening solidarity networks among Black women worldwide and promoting their contributions in all areas of society. There will also be a focus on the need to include the voices of African and Afro-descendant women in decision-making processes at all levels, ensuring equitable representation and diversity of approaches in addressing global issues.
