Women and Slavery: Its Impact on Women’s Rights Today

NGO Briefing on “Women and Slavery: Its Impact on Women’s Rights Today”

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Side Events
• Video Length: 01:53:14
• Production Date: 26 March 2015
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY - CARICOM; DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION - DPI
• Subject Topical: SLAVERY; WOMEN
• MAMS Id: 1324203
• Parent Id: 1322665

Description

This year’s theme, “Women and Slavery pays tribute to the many enslaved women who endured unbearable hardships, including sexual exploitation, as well as those who fought for freedom from slavery and advocated for its abolition. The theme also celebrates the strength of enslaved women, many of whom succeeded in transmitting their African culture to their descendants despite the many abuses that they had to endure.

It is estimated that one third of the approximately 15 million people who were deported from Africa through the Transatlantic Slave Trade were women. Enslaved women carried a triple burden. In addition to enduring the harsh conditions of forced labour as a slave, they experienced extreme forms of discrimination and exploitation as a result of their gender and the colour of their skin.

Programme of activities
In 2015, in addition to the formal annual observance of the International Day, during the week of 25 March, a series of worldwide commemorative activities are planned throughout the year. Events include a solemn ceremony at the UN, film screenings, cultural events, discussion series and exhibitions both at the UN and in other countries. The programme is constantly being updated and details will be available soon.