From Recognition to Implementation: Commitments to Advance the Rights of Indigenous Women
New York, September 9, 2026. The first global commemoration of the International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls at the United Nations brought together Indigenous Women leaders, States, and international organizations, resulting in concrete commitments around the implementation of rights, participation with decision-making power, direct funding, and accountability.
The International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI), in partnership with UN Women and the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Canada, commemorated and held a dialogue on the global recognition of the International Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2025 and on how to move forward in making the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Women a reality.
For FIMI, this commemoration represents a collective achievement attained after decades of organizing and advocacy by Indigenous Women. At the same time, it opens a new political responsibility: moving from international recognition to the effective implementation of their individual and collective rights.
Indigenous Women: Political Actors Who Have Transformed the System
The voices of Indigenous Women themselves reminded participants that this recognition does not mark the beginning of their leadership.
Dr. Rosalie González, from the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas (ECMIA), stated:
“We have not simply participated in these mechanisms. We have helped transform them.”
Indigenous Women have built organizations and networks, defended their territories, brought their demands to international mechanisms, and influenced instruments such as CEDAW Committee’s General Recommendation No. 39 (GR39) on the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls.
Patricia Torres, Continental Coordinator of ECMIA, highlighted the challenge that remains:
“The next frontier of our leadership is to transform the recognition we have achieved into the full and effective exercise of our rights.”
This means moving from presence to participation with real decision-making power, ensuring the protection of women human rights defenders, recognizing Indigenous systems of justice and governance, and securing direct, flexible, and sustainable funding for Indigenous Women’s organizations.
From Participation to Decision-Making Power
This demand was echoed in the commitments expressed by States.
Mexico recalled that the rights of Indigenous Women “are not a concession; they are not a favor,” reaffirming States’ obligation to guarantee them.
Australia stated:
“More sustainable outcomes are achieved when Indigenous Peoples are partners in decision-making, rather than subjects of it.”
Denmark reinforced this position:
“Indigenous Women and Girls should not simply be the subjects of decisions. They must have a voice, a seat at the table, and the power to shape those decisions.”
For FIMI, this convergence establishes a fundamental principle: participation does not simply mean being present or being consulted. It means having the power to influence the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of decisions that affect our lives, Peoples, and territories.
Direct Funding: A Question of Power
The need to fund the leadership that Indigenous Women already exercise was another central message of the gathering.
The African Indigenous Women’s Network emphasized:
“Indigenous Women have always led. The leadership already exists.”
UN Women made a commitment in the same direction, highlighting the need to invest in that leadership and ensure “direct, flexible, and culturally appropriate funding for Indigenous Women’s organizations.”
For FIMI, direct funding is not only a matter of resources. It is a matter of power, autonomy, and self-determination. Without strong Indigenous organizations that are sustainably funded, political participation can hardly translate into real decision-making power.
GR39: From Standards to Implementation
One of the most significant political announcements of the day concerned the implementation of General Recommendation No. 39.
Adriana Quiñones, Head of the Human Rights and Non-Discrimination Section at UN Women, announced:
“We have established a plan for the effective implementation of CEDAW General Recommendation 39, in partnership with FIMI and other Indigenous Women’s organizations.”
She added a key component:
“We will be reporting on implementation.”
For FIMI, this commitment must mark the beginning of a new stage. Implementing GR39 means translating its norms into laws, public policies, budgets, justice and protection mechanisms, and concrete results in the territories, with the full participation of Indigenous Women.
The political responsibility can be summarized in a statement made during the gathering by UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean:
“Let us move from commitments to practice, from policies to budgets, and from budgets to concrete changes in the lives of Indigenous Women and Girls.”
FIMI: From Words to Verifiable Commitments
At the close of the gathering, Teresa Zapeta, FIMI’s Executive Director, brought the discussion into the realm of political decision-making:
“We invite everyone to take this day as an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment, but also to turn it into programs, budgets, and funding.”
The statements made during this first commemoration establish a foundation that will require continued follow-up.
From FIMI, we call on States, the United Nations system, international cooperation actors, philanthropy, and our allies to advance five verifiable commitments:
Decision-making power: guarantee the full and effective participation of Indigenous Women in decisions affecting their lives, Peoples, and territories.
Implementation of GR39: translate its standards into legislation, policies, budgets, and concrete results.
Direct funding: increase direct, flexible, and sustainable resources for organizations and funds led by Indigenous Women.
Justice and protection: guarantee access to justice, protection for women human rights defenders, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition.
Accountability: make visible which commitments are being implemented, what resources are being allocated, and what results they produce.
The first global commemoration of the International Day of Indigenous Women and Girls therefore leaves us with a shared responsibility.
Recognition cannot be the final destination.
Indigenous Women have always led. Now, that leadership must be supported by rights, power, resources, and the conditions needed to make decisions.
From recognition to implementation. From commitments to budgets. From participation to decision-making power. From words to accountability.
