Beyond CSW69: Follow-up Strategies for Indigenous Women’s Advocacy
Our participation in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) was a crucial opportunity to amplify our demands as Indigenous Women on the international stage. However, our work does not end with the conclusion of this global forum. The implementation and materialization of the commitments made must extend to regional, national, and community levels, ensuring that our voices and demands translate into concrete and lasting changes.
Since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, Indigenous Women have been at the forefront of defending our individual and collective rights. We have tirelessly worked to protect our territories, gain recognition for our cultures, and eliminate the violence that affects us. CSW69 provided a space to strengthen our global advocacy, but the real impact will be measured by our ability to continue and expand these strategies in our own contexts.
On this path, it is important to acknowledge the role that the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) has played over the past 25 years. Since its inception, FIMI has been a fundamental pillar in the struggle for Indigenous Women’s rights on a global scale, promoting leadership, political advocacy, and strategic alliances. This anniversary is an opportunity not only to reflect on our achievements but also to redouble our efforts on the pending agenda. There is still much to be done to ensure the full exercise of our rights and the building of a more just and inclusive world.
Follow-up Strategies and Actions
- Political Advocacy and Monitoring of International Commitments
It is essential to monitor the resolutions and agreed conclusions at CSW69, ensuring that States fulfill their commitments. Participatory monitoring mechanisms must be established to evaluate the progress of public policies.
- Strengthening Indigenous Leadership and Participation in Decision-Making Spaces
Fostering political education and community leadership is key to ensuring our active participation in decision-making and the definition of gender, development, and environmental policies.
- Promotion of Intercultural and Multilingual Education
We defend access to education that respects our languages, cultures, and worldviews, promoting autonomy and empowerment for future generations of Indigenous Women.
- Access to Justice and Eradication of Violence
We demand effective mechanisms to prevent and sanction all forms of violence against Indigenous Women, including discrimination, the criminalization of human rights defenders, and human trafficking. Justice must be intercultural and respect our ancestral knowledge.
- Protection of Our Territories and Food Sovereignty
It is urgent to strengthen the defense of our territories and natural resources against plundering, exploitation, and climate change. We must reinforce support networks and alliances with other social movements to protect our lands and environmental practices.
- Economic Empowerment and Access to Technology
It is necessary to promote better access to financing, training, and technology to strengthen our community economies, supporting fair trade and Indigenous Women’s entrepreneurship.
- Comprehensive Health and Sexual and Reproductive Rights
We demand access to healthcare services with an intercultural approach that respects our ancestral knowledge. We also demand respect for our sexual and reproductive rights, ensuring access to adequate information and services.
- Alliances and Cross-Sector Collaboration
It is crucial to work with other feminist, environmental, and human rights movements to strengthen our advocacy and create spaces for dialogue and cooperation with civil society and international organizations.
Conclusion
CSW69 has been a place to gather and reflect on the challenges and progress in the struggle for Indigenous Women’s rights. However, real change depends on the continuity of our actions at different levels of advocacy. We must remain organized, strengthen our strategies, and demand the fulfillment of our rights.
The 25th anniversary of FIMI reminds us that the struggle of Indigenous Women has been constant and visionary. Over time, we have built paths of resistance, advocacy, and transformation. But it is also a call to keep moving forward, as there is still a long road ahead. From our territories to global spaces, we will continue working tirelessly to ensure that Indigenous Women’s voices are heard and respected, building together a future of dignity, justice, and respect for our cultures and ways of life.
Call to Action
We urge States, international organizations, civil society, and all other key stakeholders to commit to the effective implementation of Indigenous Women’s rights. We demand political will, resources, and concrete actions that respond to our realities and needs. The struggle does not end in international forums; our future is defined in our territories. Let’s move forward, together and with strength!
