GUIDE WOMEN TO REALIZE THEIR VALUE, RIGHTS AND POTENTIAL SO AS TO CHANGE THEIR DESTINY

Indigenous women like any other women in the world have made great contributions to the human civilizations and social progress. Like Indigenous men they are part and parcel of the Indigenous culture and incentive to Indigenous society.

We have also noted that Indigenous women, due to their unique positions are actually the most fragile groups in the society. It is therefore very important for Indigenous women to be the theme of the panel.

I would like to further illustrate on how to protect the rights of Indigenous women. First of all, it is important to change the stereotyping of Indigenous women in the international community and governments of the world should have systematic advertisements on how to delete stereotyping including the stereotyping of Indigenous women and Indigenous men. Efforts should be made to eliminate domestic violence against Indigenous women due to the unique features of the Indigenous women.

It is important to respect the rights and traditions of Indigenous women. It is of utmost importance to guide women to realize their value, rights and potential so as to change their destiny.

Secondly, from the policy and mechanism perspective, gender mainstreaming should be emphasized to ensure the political, economic and social equality for women. To be more specific it is important to establish laws and regulations to protect Indigenous women.. Second, to establish a sound mechanism to improve the status of Indigenous women. Third, to establish preferential policies and funds to help Indigenous women. Fourth, to organize training courses so that Indigenous women can participate in social management and public life.

First to establish a scientific monitoring system and to conduct regular surveys on women.

My third major point is that, we should, in the whole process protect and ensure the active participation of Indigenous women in the international community and governments of the world should work together with Indigenous women so that they can identify the challenges and formulate plans in implementing the assistance programs. The Indigenous women should be brought into full play.

The year 2005 will be Beijing + 10. Beijing Platform for Action and Beijing Declaration has played an important role in improving women’s status all across the world. In June, 2000, the special session of the UN General Assembly on Women has also indicated a new start for gender equality, peace and development.

We have to note that the development of women, poverty in women, and the inadequacy in women’s education, employment, health care and decision making has hindered the implementation of the program and platform for action, including the rights for Indigenous women.

Next March, the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will fully review the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. I am convinced that this will help us better review the whole process and firm up the implementation of the Platform for Action in the 1995 Beijing conference.

The protection of the rights and interest of Indigenous women is not an isolated issue and should be integrated with the collective rights of the Indigenous People. The international community and all the governments should take active actions to include the environment for Indigenous People.

This Permanent Forum is an important forum in this regard, and therefore Indigenous women should be taken as a priority theme in our work. This Forum should also work together with governments, Indigenous organizations, other international organizations and civil society to make further efforts and exchange the successful experiences so as to protect the rights of Indigenous women.

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Copyright Natalie Drache 1999