Americas Afrodescendent women leaders demand recognition, justice, development

The first Summit of Afrodescendent Women Leaders of the Americas was kicked off here Friday, urging governments and citizens to support the justifiable demands of women of African descent.

The three-day summit, themed "Afrodescendents: Recognition, Justice and Development," attracted more than 250 Afrodescendent women leaders from the Americas, said Jennifer Chavez, one of the organizers.

The demands at the summit focused on health, education, the right to live free from violence, zero discrimination, public participation, politics and eradication of discrimination in the media, added Chavez.

One of the central concepts is to accept women of African descent, which means to grant them access to education and healthcare and enable them to live free from violence, said Chavez in an interview with Xinhua.

After the summit, the female leaders will go back to their respective countries to promote a political platform, said Chavez, who is also the leader of the Nicaraguan organization Caribbean Voices.

The summit is organized by the Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diasapora Women (RMAAD) which unites the hopes and demands of over 400 organizations for women of African descent in over 22 countries.

Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil are members of the RMAAD.