WUNRN
INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S
FORUM - FIMI
INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S FORUM STATEMENT
TO UN WOMEN, CSW 55
"TOGETHER - UNITED FOR OUR
RIGHTS"
02 de Marzo, 2011
On behalf of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum, an international network
of Indigenous women leaders from the Americas, Africa and Asia who are fighting
for the rights of Indigenous women and are working to improve the lives of
their communities, we would like to congratulate Madame Michelle Bachelet on
her appointment as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the newly
created UN Women.
Reaffirming that the International Indigenous Women’s Forum has advocated for
the full and effective recognition and exercise of our fundamental rights, both
as women and as Indigenous peoples.
Recognizing that the creation of UN Women is an important further step in
the advancement of women and girls worldwide and towards the end of gender
discrimination.
Convinced that UN Women represents a unique opportunity to include the
perspectives and priorities of Indigenous women in the workings of the UN
system in a consistent and effective manner.
Considering the central role of Indigenous women in their communities, in
protecting Indigenous knowledge systems, in building the socio-cultural capital
of their peoples, and in helping to secure the continuity of the lives, values,
and cultures of Indigenous peoples.
As part of the celebration of the fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the
Status of Women, we urge UN Women to:
- Explicitly recognize the situation of Indigenous women and girls in its
mandate and include an inter-cultural approach in all its work;
- Create adequate mechanisms to guarantee the inclusion and participation of
Indigenous women in UN Women through the recruitment and permanence of
Indigenous experts at all levels of the organization;
- Design and implement specific policies and programs for the advancement of
the human rights of Indigenous women which promote the implementation of the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and address the concerns and
recommendations of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and
of Indigenous women’s organizations;
- Include a budget allocated directly to programs for Indigenous women;
- Consider the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
as well as the gender perspectives of Indigenous women in the formation of
policies, norms, and particular programs;
In conclusion, the International Indigenous Women’s Forum would like to express
its support for the Executive Director of the new UN Women, Ms. Michelle
Bachelet. We are committed to working with UN Women to achieve the
recognition and fulfillment of Indigenous women’s rights.
International Indigenous Women's Forum
FIMI-IIWF