Afro-Peruvians hope for constitutional recognition

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00:00In this village on the Peruvian coast, almost all the inhabitants are of African descent.

00:07For most, it's a source of pride and is celebrated at dances and Cajun percussion events several

00:13times a year.

00:14The result of a unique blend of African and Peruvian culture.

00:20The Afro community is very important in Peruvian culture.

00:25Afros have enriched our culture, gastronomy, football and dance.

00:32Culture should not be lost.

00:34These are our ancestors, our grandparents who left us this wonderful culture.

00:38Our dancers have been recognised as part of humanity's cultural heritage and that's important.

00:45But in Peru, Afro-descendant people representing around 4% of the population still lack representation.

00:53Only one in two Afro-Peruvians say they are victims of discrimination in society.

01:00When I was little, I felt very isolated at school because I felt like I didn't belong

01:04or fit in, because I was always being harassed for my skin colour and for my hair and curls.

01:11To remedy this, young Afro-Peruvians in Lima have been getting together at workshops where

01:16they've been learning how to better assert their rights.

01:19The only Afros I knew before were my family and meeting other people has helped me become

01:25part of a community, to reconnect with my roots and with my identity as an Afro-Peruvian

01:31woman.

01:32Associations have also been fighting on the political front.

01:36At the end of May, members of parliament paved the way for Afro-Peruvians to be officially

01:40recognised in the constitution.

01:43This project guarantees that the state sees us, takes us into account and translates it

01:48into action, into public policy, to reduce the inequalities we still suffer from today.

01:56The hope of official recognition of Afro-Peruvians by the state should be confirmed by a second

02:00vote due in two months' time.

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