A Position Paper By The Network Of Indigenous Women In Asia (NIWA)

Indigenous Women globally share a common struggle to uphold their rights while maintaining harmony between humans and nature, fostering sustainable living, especially in the face of authoritarianism, unstainable development, climate threats, and resource exploitation. Network of Indigenous Women in Asia (NIWA) was established and founded in 2019 to address these challenges collectively. The establishment of NIWA is rooted in the need to strengthen indigenous women’s movements as part of the broader struggle to restore Indigenous Peoples’ rights and to secure equality for indigenous women within our communities. NIWA is driven by indigenous women’s movements, guided by our shared vision, and supported by allies. We are committed to upholding our collective principles of self-determination, equality, equity and sustainable stewardship of lands, territories, and resources.

This position paper is developed by NIWA in support from International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) as NIWA stand as a united force to advance the rights, governance, and leadership of Asian Indigenous Women, ensuring a just and sustainable future for all. This position paper strongly urges for the immediate implementation of the principles and goals of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its General Recommendation No. 39 (GR 39), which focuses on the rights of Indigenous women and girls. NIWA views GR 39 as an essential tool for promoting these rights and tackling the multiple forms of discrimination they encounter.

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