Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Event Title: Afrodescendant Women and Reproductive Justice: Knowledge, Barriers, and Strategies for Health Equity in Latin America (Colombia, Brazil)

Date and Time: Wednesday 16th 11:30am-12:45pm

Sponsoring Organizations: Ilex Acción Jurídica1 (Colombia), National Federation of Traditional Midwives2 (Colombia), Conectas (Brazil)3

Language(s): Spanish and Portuguese

Location: UN Headquarters, conference room CRA

Event Description
Afro descendant women in Latin America face structural inequalities that limit their access to sexual and reproductive health, restricting their autonomy and rights. Structural racism in healthcare systems disproportionately affects their access to essential services such as Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (IVE), prenatal care, and culturally sensitive obstetric support. This event will highlight the structural inequalities that Afro descendant women in Latin America face
in accessing sexual and reproductive health services, including Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (IVE), prenatal care, and culturally sensitive obstetric support. The discussion will focus on how structural racism within healthcare systems in Colombia and Brazil disproportionately affects these women and will explore legal and policy strategies to advance health equity. A key component of this event is the recognition of Afro descendant midwifery as an ancestral and community-based practice essential for maternal health and the right to healthcare. We will advocate for the implementation of inclusive and anti-racist public policies that ensure equitable access to reproductive health services.

Beyond addressing barriers, this event is designed to have a meaningful impact in advancing the visibility and recognition of Afro descendant women's and girls' rights. By bringing together advocates, experts, and policymakers, we aim to strengthen advocacy efforts that demand structural changes in healthcare systems, promote the legal recognition of traditional Afrodescendant midwifery, and push for public policies that dismantle racial discrimination in
reproductive health services.

Additionally, this space will serve to reinforce regional and international networks that work towards reproductive justice and health equity for Black women and girls. By amplifying these issues at a high-level international forum, we seek to elevate the voices of Afro descendant women, ensuring their rights and experiences are central to global discussions on racial and gender justice.

Objectives
Raise awareness of the situation of Afro descendant women regarding sexual and reproductive health, emphasizing the structural barriers they face in Colombia and Brazil.

Denounce racial discrimination in healthcare systems and promote political and legal advocacy strategies to guarantee equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Reclaim Afro descendant midwifery as an ancestral practice that ensures the right to health for Black women and their communities.

Strengthen collaboration networks among Afro descendant organizations, activists, and health experts to enhance advocacy efforts within the United Nations agenda on health equity.

Event Format:
• Panel Discussion: Experts from Black women’s organizations in Brazil, the National Federation of Afro-Colombian Midwives, and Ilex will share analyses on Afro descendant women's access to healthcare.
• Open Dialogue: A space for experience-sharing and collective strategy-building.
• Conclusions and Recommendations: Presentation of a joint statement with proposals for the protection and promotion of Afro descendant women’s sexual and reproductive rights.

Proposed Panelists:
• Representative from Ilex Acción Jurídica (Colombia): Access to justice and strategic litigation in defense of Black women’s sexual and reproductive rights.
• Representative from a Black women's organization in Brazil: Analysis of the Brazilian context and advocacy strategies in health policy.
• Member of the National Federation of Afro-Colombian Midwives: Experiences in midwifery within Afrodescendant communities and demands for recognition.

Event Agenda (11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.)

11:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. | Opening Remarks
• Welcome by event moderator
• Brief introduction to the topic and objectives of the session

11:35 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | Panel Discussion
• 11:35 – 11:45 a.m.: Representative from Ilex Acción Jurídica (Colombia) – Access to justice and strategic litigation in defense of Black women’s sexual and reproductive
rights.
• 11:45 – 11:55 a.m.: Representative from a Black women's organization in Brazil – Analysis of the Brazilian context and advocacy strategies in health policy.
• 11:55 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.: Member of the National Federation of Afro-Colombian Midwives – Experiences in midwifery within Afrodescendant communities and demands for recognition.

12:10 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Open Dialogue & Strategy Discussion
• Experience-sharing and collective strategy-building among attendees.
• Discussion on regional and international advocacy strategies.
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Conclusions and Recommendations
• Presentation of a joint statement with proposals for the protection and promotion of Afrodescendant women’s sexual and reproductive rights.
• Call to action for stakeholders, policymakers, and international institutions. Expected Outcomes
• Strengthening of advocacy networks and collaboration among Afrodescendant organizations in Latin America and international actors.
• Generation of proposals for the official recognition of Afrodescendant midwifery as an essential healthcare practice within public health systems.
• Increased visibility of reproductive justice issues affecting Afrodescendant women and girls at international human rights forums.
• Development of policy recommendations for governments and international institutions to advance equitable healthcare access and anti-racist health policies.

Contact:
Audrey Karina Mena Mosquera
Co-founder, Ilex Acción Jurídica
Email: amena@ilex.com.co

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1 Is a Colombian organization dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of Afro-descendant communities, focusing on racial, economic, and gender justice. Through research, strategic litigation, and advocacy, it works to guarantee rights and transform public policies.
2 Represents and supports Afro-descendant and Indigenous traditional midwives. It focuses on promoting intercultural
childbirth, preserving ancestral knowledge, and ensuring access to maternal healthcare with a community-based and differential approach.
3 Is a Brazilian organization that promotes social justice and human rights in the Global South. Through litigation, advocacy, and strengthening civil society actors, it works to combat inequalities and promote democracy and access to justice across Latin America.