Political Statement by the International Indigenous Women’s Forum to the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women The International Indigenous Women’s Forum representing Indigenous women organized through regional networks from the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Arctic and the Pacific reaffirm the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted during the Fourth World Conference on Women 1. We highlight that rural areas are home to many indigenous women, who have unique realities. This requires particular approaches and measures to address indigenous women’s issues in a culturally sensitive manner to ensure their individual and collective rights 2. In spite of the deep gaps of inequality, racism and discrimination faced by indigenous women, we are rights-holders and agents of change. Indigenous women practice and develop sustainable livelihoods, food security, health and the wellbeing of our peoples in the communities. Therefore, States are called to guarantee the right to maintain and strengthen our distinctive spiritual relationship with our traditional practices or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources 3. We endorse the recommendations made by International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) to the Commission on the Status of Women. We also urge the CSW to consider the following priorities: 1. To encourage the organization for the High-Level Forum on Indigenous Women, including regional consultations with an effective participation of indigenous women to review the progress and challenges in the implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action (2020), with a focus on the linkages with and progress made towards the situation of indigenous women and the Sustainable Development Goals. 1

Based on E/C.19/2014/CRP.1, pag.21. Based on EGM/RWG/Report, pag.4 3 Based on the Art. 25 UNDRIP. 2



2. To recognize that the access to ownership and control of lands, territories and resources and free prior and informed consent for indigenous women is critical for empowerment and the realization of the sustainable development goals, including the protection of indigenous women’s human rights defenders. 3. Recognize indigenous women and youths with disabilities as the most vulnerable to climate disasters and provide contextually relevant and culturally sensitive safeguards, and provision to technical, financial and other forms of support to ensure their economic, social and environmental protection and wellbeing. 4. In consultation and on equal terms, take concrete actions to ensure technical and financial assistance to the economic activities of indigenous women taking into account their knowledge and cultural context, including disaggregated data by ethnicity and gender for the appropriate formulation of policy interventions that guarantee empowerment, well-being and services in rural contexts and indigenous communities. For further information: [email protected] / www.fimi-iiwf.org