‘We indigenous women should not look at ourselves as mere victims. We are also decision makers, leaders and we have the power to be agents of change’
Our Correspondent
New Delhi | June 11
Around eight percent of India’s population consists of Indigenous People, out of which indigenous women make up half of the eight per cent population. The key issues and problems that indigenous women face today are numerous, ranging from poverty to sex trafficking, from displacement to increased workload and from denial of basic health services to the lack of education.
These core issues were discussed and debated during the ‘National Consultation on the Situation of Indigenous Women: Ways Forward’ which is being held in Delhi at the Indian Social Institute (ISI) from June 10 to 12. An initiative of Indigenous Women Forum of North East India (IWFNEI) and Inter State Adivasi Women’s Network and supported by the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), the national consultation is a first of its kind, where Indigenous women groups from all parts of the country have converged to participate and discuss ways forward for the Indigenous women in India.
“We indigenous women should not look at ourselves as mere victims. We are also decision makers, leaders and we have the power to be agents of change,” said Joan Carling, Secretary General, AIPP and expert member, United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). She presented the key note address, where she stated that despite major achievements to recognize the historical injustice committed against Indigenous People (IP), the reality in the ground shows a different picture. IPs are still part of the poorest of the poor. “Our land and resources are taken away as if we do not exist at all. The multiple discrimination against indigenous women is on the rise especially in sex trafficking and violence against women. However despite of these grim realities, the women are fighting for the violations against women and protecting their land,” she added. Carling urged the women on the need to act as one, understand issues that affects all and engage with the government and others to demand their rights and strengthen solidarity and cooperation. Carling also asserted that she remained inspired not by global leaders but ordinary people who continue to selflessly work for their people.
Key issues of Indigenous Women in Central India, North India, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the North East were first discussed which was followed by a panel discussion on the issues of land, territories and resource and its impact on Indigenous Women. Further discussions on violence against women and challenges, lessons learned and good practices were held.
The possibilities and opportunities for the advancement of IW was discussed by Charuwali Khanna, member, National Women commission. Khanna stated that the consultation program is a good opportunity to find a solution for common problems and to strengthen the skills and capabilities of Indigenous women. Khanna also pointed out that indigenous women have special needs (they have been displaced and that displacement has often lead to violence) and their problems need to be tackled differently. On being asked on the issue of racial discrimination, Khanna asserted that intolerance in India is increasing and this needs to be stopped. Khanna stated that the first step is to inculcate constitutional values among children in the education system from the basic level.
“Through this consultation program we expect all Indigenous women in India to come together, to connect with each other and get to know each other’s issues,” said Elina Horo, Coordinator of the Adivasi Women’s Network while adding that mainland India does not have much idea about indigenous people’s issues and problems and often national policies are made without taking the IP issues in consideration, where IP and especially women are affected the most.
Around 20 Indigenous groups from Central India, South India, North India and the North East are participating in the national consultation program. The outcome of the forum will be sent to the CEDAW committee for relevant mechanisms on land rights and issues on violence against women.
Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/116876.html