Racism in Panama, from a gender perspective

As part of the activities carried out in commemoration of the black ethnicity month, the Inclusion, Diversity and Gender Committee of the City of Knowledge Foundation organized the panel discussion "Beyond a celebration" where topics related to racism in Panama from a gender perspective were discussed. 

This panel included the participation of the specialist Alina Torrero, anthropologist and responsible for the first national diagnosis on Afro-Panamanian women, who highlighted the importance of education provided to young people from early childhood as a key to eradicate racist manifestations.

Liriola Leotau, Human Rights defender and former director of the National Women's Institute, highlighted the role that legislation and governmental interventions can play to the detriment or contribution of the Afro-descendant heritage, while Nasch Beitia, Afro-feminist, anti-racist, creator and executive director of "Birria de Guiales" catalogued as inconsistent the actions carried out by organizations, state and private entities for gender inclusion.

"Active, with or without funds" is how dancer, cultural manager and founder of "Nosotras Somos Hip Hop", Maybe Henríquez, defined the participation of the new generations in raising their voices; while Nyasha Warren, vice president of the Society of Friends of the Afro-Antillean Museum of Panama, highlighted the efforts made by the museums to preserve and spread the history of Afro-descendants since their first migrations to the national territory. 

The event, organized for employees of the Foundation, was held on the premises of the House Museum of the City of Knowledge, and was part of the initiatives leading by the Inclusion, Diversity and Gender Committee, who constantly generate spaces for dialogue and reflection among employees of the institution.