Programa, Cundinamarca 9

Abstract

In this section of the Voces y Regiones program, the interviewee discusses the advocacy for the Afro-Colombian population as subjects of rights, emphasizing the need for their recognition within the country. She highlights the importance of penalizing those who discriminate against Afro-descendant communities and the misconception of considering them a minority in terms of public policies and civic participation. The conversation stresses the need for a conceptual change, promoting the term "Afro community" instead of "Black person," aiming to reinforce their collective identity and role in society. The interviewee also underscores the respect this population deserves, like any other citizen, acknowledging their abilities, knowledge, and right to participate in various fields without discrimination or exclusion. Additionally, the discussion touches on the participation of the Afro-Colombian community in different political and social spaces, including their presence in community councils, social organizations, and governmental decision-making bodies, partially guaranteed by Law 70 of 1993. This legislation recognizes the rights of Black communities to land ownership, cultural preservation, and autonomous development. Despite these advancements, the interviewee highlights the need to strengthen their representation in decision-making spaces and ensure the enforcement of their rights to achieve true equity.