International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent | July 25
Today, July 25, we mark the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent.
The day recognizes their leadership, resilience, and contributions, and draws attention to the barriers they still face.
Health and dignity
The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a fundamental right. Yet for many women and girls of African descent, this right is still denied.
Systemic racism, gender discrimination, poverty, and gaps in education and employment create barriers to accessible, quality, and culturally appropriate healthcare. This leads to delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, obstetric violence, and unequal access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The impact is clearest in maternal health. Data from the Americas show maternal mortality ratios are much higher for Afro-descendant women than national averages. In many places, the lack of data disaggregated by race and gender makes these inequalities invisible.
Call to Action
To uplift women and girls of African descent, we must move beyond statements:
1. Invest in education, skills training, and mentorship for girls and young women
2. Combat negative racial and gender stereotypes in media, policy, and education
3. Ensure representation of African-descended women in political, legal, and corporate leadership
4. Support data collection disaggregated by race and gender to inform just policies
5. Protect rights defenders, activists, and community leaders
Why this day matters
Women and girls of African descent face overlapping forms of discrimination that affect poverty, education, health, and decision-making. Yet they are not only impacted by these challenges. They are leading change in their communities, economies, and cultures through advocacy, organizing, and professional excellence.
This day was designated by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/323 to honor women and girls of African descent and to call for renewed global action to end racism and discrimination.
Health equity is not only a public health issue. It is a matter of human rights, dignity, and social justice.
Today, let us make inequalities visible, listen to their voices, and take bold action.
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