People of African descent and COVID-19: unveiling structural inequalities in Latin America

26 January 2021 | Publication

Work area(s)

Population and development

Topic(s)

COVID-19 Gender equality Health Human rights Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants Inequality Social rights

People of African descent and COVID-19: unveiling structural inequalities in Latin America

- Publication corporate author (Institutional author): NU. CEPAL
- Physical description: 27 páginas.
- Publisher: ECLAC
- Date: 26 January 2021

View full record in repository

Abstract

COVID-19 is exposing social inequalities of all kinds in the world and the region, as well as the overrepresentation of Afrodescendants among the group living in poverty who are employed in informal and caregiving jobs. As Afrodescendants have worse indicators of well-being than their non-Afrodescendent peers, they are seen as one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of both infection and mortality.
Accordingly, this document analyses the specific situation of Afrodescendent populations and the effects that COVID-19 might be having on them, based on up-to-date empirical dataand an ethnic/racial, generational, territorial, rights-based and gender approach.

Table of contents

  • Introduction
  • I. Reasons why COVID-19 might be having a disproportionate impact on the Afrodescendent population
  • II. The Afrodescendent population and its vulnerability to COVID-19: what the data tell us. A. Poverty. B. Adequate housing and access to services. C. Education. D. Employment and income
  • III. Actions to combat COVID-19
  • IV. Recommendations.

SDG(s)

1. No poverty 2. Zero hunger 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions