COORDINATOR OF BLACK WOMEN CHAPTER ESMERALDAS CONAMUNE ESMERALDAS ECUADOR STATUS OF WOMEN IN AFRO-ECUADORIAN IN THE WORKFORCE In memory of "all those afro-women who worked hard; who always took care of their families and protected them; who fought against slavery. They were all these women who transmitted us the legacy of hard work. The International Year of African descents seeks to strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of African Descendents. The African Descendents of Ecuador we are among the most affected communities by racism and denial of basic rights like equality to enjoy health services and education. The International Year of African Descents seeks to strengthen national measures and national cooperation and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of African Descents The CONAMUNECE is located in Esmeraldas Ecuador, we think, that it is time to give Afro-Ecuadorian women, the recognition we deserve, since throughout history their contribution to social and human development of the people of Ecuador has been from great relevance, in different stages, of cultures, history, work, education, geographical areas etc. To speak about our employment situation, we must focus on the social gaps of Afro-Ecuadorians, that show us the serious INDICATORS OF EDUCATION that we presented, at the national level, a factor that strongly affects the development opportunities in the labor market in the income and our self-esteem. The concern from us as Afro Ecuadorian women, is the right to education, because although the illiteracy rate in the last three years has dropped significantly at the national average level,it is not the same in terms of years of schooling and access to higher education, the point of university professionals is the lowest in the Afro-Ecuadorian human development. The rate of access to college is low, the levels are very low on graduate level compared to posgrados white mestizo. The national average, affects negatively on the right to work. The biggest disparity that we present is between ethnicity and education where low levels of schooling, secondary and higher is observed. The net attendance rate in secondary schools by Afro Ecuadorians barely reaches 38.8%, while this rate in the country is almost 55.3% and on whites 58%. Just 8 out of 100 Afro Ecuadorians attend to college, while in the mestizos are 20 per 100 and on national level 18 per 100, the 58%.