Empowering Indigenous Women and Girls

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“Indigenous women face severe rights violations, because they are women as well as indigenous peoples. The reporting of massive violations of the collective rights of indigenous peoples, especially to their land, territories and resources, do not normally account for the violence committed against indigenous women. The very struggle of indigenous peoples to defend and assert their rights is also at the heart of indigenous women’s struggle.”

Joan Carling, AIPP Secretary General, ‘Tilting the Balance: Indigenous Women, Development and Access to Justice’

Challenges for indigenous communities

Violations to the collective rights of indigenous peoples to their land and resources resulting to extraction of resources and loss of access to forests and natural resources, loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, environmental disasters, conflicts, among others

Forced displacement brought about by development aggression

Limited access to social services such as education and health,

Loss of traditional institutions and knowledge

Militarization and political repression of IP human rights defenders

Specific challenges for indigenous women

Limited participation in decision-making processes

Access to appropriate health services, education and livelihood support in accordance to their specific needs and conditions

Domestic violence/ Violence Against Women

Gender based violence in situations of armed conflicts and militarization

Non-recognition of their roles and contributions in sustainable resource management, food security and peace-building

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned• Supporting the capacities of indigenous women and enhancing

their roles and contributions in resource managements for sustainable development are critical in improving not only the conditions of women but also of indigenous communities

• The inclusion of indigenous women in decision-making results to more appropriate interventions/projects and programmes that also takes into account the needs and priorities of indigenous women thereby increasing their participation and benefits

•Ensuring the meaningful participation of indigenous women in projects, programmes and activities leads to better understanding of their perspectives, views and concerns and enhances their contributions •The practice of positive customary law respecting the rights of women are effective channels for access to justice for indigenous women that can be inter-phased with the legal system. It also serves as a deterrence to acts of violence against women.

•FPIC is a continuous process! Ensure the full involvement and the implementation of the FPIC of indigenous peoples in any projects, activities, legislations, etc that will impact them and their territories

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

•Network building as platforms for solidarity strengthens the struggle of indigenous women for the promotion and protection of their rights and welfare

•Conducting dialogues/exchanges between indigenous peoples and relevant government agencies opens avenues for interaction to share experiences and key issues and concerns on land rights

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Solutions and opportunitiesSolutions and opportunities

• Empowering IW in traditional customary institutions and participation in decision-making bodies including in local governments – through awareness- raising, skills development and strengthening indigenous women leaders and organisations

• Strengthening the advocacy for the implementation of CEDAW and UNDRIP and other human rights and for inclusive and sustainable development at the local and national levels through dialogues, engagements and mobilisations of indigenous women and IP organisations and communities

• Strengthening and highlighting the roles and contributions of indigenous women in NRM, food security and biodiversity

• Facilitation of IW’s participation to relevant national, regional and international processes

Recommendations and priorities to Recommendations and priorities to UNDP UNDP

• Support the capacity building and advocacy of indigenous women’s leaders and organisations for their meaningful participation in development processes and bodies

• Support in-country and regional multi-stakeholders learning exchanges relating to women’s empowerment to provide a venue for sharing lessons learned and experiences among indigenous women and relevant stakeholders

• Support and facilitate dialogues/workshops between relevant government agencies and indigenous women’s leaders and organisations at the national level on urgent issues and concerns of indigenous women and communities

Recommendations and priorities to Recommendations and priorities to UNDP UNDP

• Awareness raising, and capacity building on relevant UN mechanisms and procedures including sustained support for translation and mentoring on communication procedures within the UN

• Facilitate participation of indigenous women to key regional and international events for them to be able to directly voice out their concerns to relevant bodies

• Conduct dialogues/workshops between governments, civil society organizations and indigenous peoples to open spaces for discussion on key concerns of indigenous peoples on their collective rights to their land and resources.

• Facilitate support (legal, material or sanctuary) to indigenous women human rights defenders at risk

Thank you!

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) is a regional organization founded in 1988 and it has 47 members from 14 countries in Asia.

Contact Detail108 Moo 5 Tambon SapranateAmphur SansaiChiang Mai 50210Tel: 66(0)53380168Fax: 66(0)53380752www.aippnet.orgwww.ccmin.aippnet.org www.iphrdefenders.net