UNPFII24: Agenda Item 5 (e) Interregional, intergenerational and global dialogue on the Rights of Indigenous Women

24^th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Agenda Item 5 (e) Interregional, intergenerational and global dialogue on the Rights of Indigenous Women
Conference Room 4 | Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Hisai Madam chair. I am Shinako Oyakawa, presenting on behalf of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact. We appreciate the effort of the Permanent Forum to empower Indigenous women by increasing our participation in decision making and advocating for our rights.

This high-level dialogue will ensure that Indigenous Women’s voices are heard, and the incredible roles we play in cultural preservation, traditional knowledge maintenance and transmission, sustainable utilization, conservation of biodiversity, climate change adaptation, and human rights safe-guarding.

We Indigenous Women are at a disadvantage position in all areas of economic, political and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights. 

In Asia, we are shaped by marginalization including gender inequality, race, impacts of colonization. There are contextual differences in each country, but also common themes that emerge. 

International frameworks have some recognition for Indigenous Women, including the most recent the General Recommendations no. 39 on the rights of Indigenous women and girls. This reminds us that there are still challenges and deep gaps that need to be addressed.

The GR 39 is a formidable call by the CEDAW committee for states to ensure the prevention

and address the multifaceted identity of Indigenous women and girls, including our experience with gender-based discrimination, violence, and frequent violation of our rights to self-determination; territories, natural resources, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; free, prior, and informed consent.

We bring to attention the urgency for States to recognize Indigenous Peoples in their constitutions, national policies, and programs as part of their commitments to the UNDRIP.

Asia Indigenous Peoples urge the member states, UN systems and other stakeholders to support the following recommendations:

1) document gaps between GR 39 and national legislation; 

2)the development of comprehensive policies, legislations and other actions that advances the effective operationalization of GR 39 

3) collect disaggregated data on Indigenous Women and Girls, including, the support   to citizen-generated data

For the Permanent forum, EMRIP and SR to undertake studies and generate reports on the situation of Indigenous Women with recommendations for the states and other stakeholders to take action

Thank you, Nifeedeebir

Click here to download the full statement of Agenda Item 5 by Shinako