Research and Black women

What has become increasingly evidence to me, particularly over the last twelve to eighteen

months, is how the narrative about Back women does not include our voices and

perspectives.

?

Furthermore, that Black women's experiences and perspectives continue to be masked,

overlooked and absorbed by umbrella framing as women, people of colour, women of

colour, Black people or people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

In addition, in some sectors or industries, conducting research into Black women is viewed

as not viable because we are statistically ‘insignificant.’ In other words, we don’t count,

therefore we don’t matter.

?

Let's look at how this may play out for women like us.

?

Maternal mortality rates in the Black community

Black women were at a greater risk of maternal mortality in the UK during 2018–20 when

compared to White women, according to recent findings. The underlying causes of this

disparity remain a complex picture.

Source:https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-black-community/

?

New analysis reveals Black women in England more likely to be diagnosed with late-

stage Cancer

The study, published today in BMJ Open, has revealed that Black women from Caribbean

and African backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer at

later stages (3 or 4), when treatment is less likely to be successful…

This study is the first to show that ethnicity is a significant factor in late-stage diagnosis for

women with breast, ovarian, uterine, non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer..

Source:https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2023/01/27/new-analysis-reveals-black-women-in-england-more-likely-to-be-diagnosed-with-late-stage-cancer/

?

?

Black women are missing in the UK’s top 1%

Women are grossly underrepresented overall, with Black women suffering the largest

penalties. Specifically, while 1.3% of UK-born White men are in the top 1%, it is only 0.2%

of UK-born White women and less than 0.1% of UK-born Black women.

Source:https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2021/03/03/black-women-are-missing-in-the-uks-top-1/

?

Is childbirth more dangerous for Black women in the UK?

MBRRACE-UK pointed out the disparities in maternal outcome statistics across a number

of demographic factors, such as race, geography and socio-economic positioning.

However, there appears to be a clear racial barrier between suitable healthcare and Black

women, with reports of Black women being ignored or told they were overreacting when

complaining of pain.

Source: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/childbirth-black-women-uk/117437/

?

BME statistics on poverty and deprivation

Black women, whether employed or not, stood to lose ￡5,030 a year. In relative terms, this

amounts to 28% of the net individual income of those not in employment and 20% for those

in employment.

Source: https://irr.org.uk/research/statistics/poverty/

?

Black women may be statistically ‘insignificant’, but the impact on our lives is not

insignificant.

?

We continue to be Women in the Shade.

For Black women in uniform services. Let's unite to make our voices heard.

Join us at our Women in the Shade 2025 conference.

Visit our website https://womenintheshade.com/

?Let's reclaim our narratives.

?

?