July 25th is an extremely important date in the calendar of struggles and achievements of black, Latin American and Caribbean women. Celebrated as the International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women, this date represents a moment of reflection, strengthening and unity around issues that directly affect these women.

Why was International Black Latin American and Caribbean Women's Day created?

The origin of this celebration dates back to 1992, when a group of black women met at the first Meeting of Black Latina and Caribbean Women, in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. This event was a historic milestone, where several leaders discussed problems and sought alternatives to face the inequality and violence that plague the black population in Latin America and the Caribbean. From this meeting, the Network of Afro-Latin American and Afro-Caribbean Women emerged, which, in partnership with the United Nations (UN), achieved official recognition of July 25th as an international date of struggle and celebration.

In Brazil, the importance of this date was reinforced in 2014, when, through Law No. 12,987, July 25th also became the National Day of Tereza de Benguela and Black Women. Tereza de Benguela was a quilombola leader who bravely resisted slavery, becoming a symbol of resistance and the fight for freedom.

The racial reality of the Brazilian population 

According to IBGE, the black population in Brazil accounts for 54% of the total, but they face immense challenges. Three out of every four people in poverty are black. This reality is also reflected in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, where 200 million people identify as Afro-descendants. Violence and inequality disproportionately affect black women, making the need for a day of reflection and action even more urgent.

Gisela Simona, federal deputy for Mato Grosso and RenovaBR alumni, highlights the relevance of this agenda. “When you check data on black women in Brazil, unfortunately it is black women who suffer the most domestic violence, obstetric violence and face the greatest wage inequality. May the date of July 25th be a date for reflection on the importance of black women in our country and the contribution they make every day to our people. We want to be treated the same as everyone else.”

The importance of discussing the specificities of the inequalities that affect black women is reinforced by the councilor of Macaé (RJ) and also alumni, Iza Vicente. “This date is very important for us to discuss the challenges and social problems that black women face, which are different from the realities faced by women of other ethnicities. Being a black woman in Brazil, which is still very racist and unequal, brings with it the mission of having a day of mobilization and discussion aimed at this issue”, he states. 

For Aline Torres, former Municipal Secretary of Culture in São Paulo and RenovaBR alumni, she reinforces the importance of recognition and action. “While I was at the Secretariat, we managed to carry out several unprecedented actions for this date, empowering girls from the outskirts. We need to have dates for celebration and struggle, but also fight for the agenda.”

On this date, RenovaBR joins the voices that celebrate, reflect and fight for a fairer and more equal future for black women. It is a day to honor history, recognize challenges and renew commitment to equality and social justice. Celebrating the International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women is to reaffirm the fight for a more inclusive and equitable society, where all women can live with dignity and respect.