March 8: Indigenous Women, Threads of Resistance at CSW

March 8, International Women’s Day, is a moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges that women face around the world. For us, Indigenous Women, this day is also an opportunity to shed light on our struggles and contributions in securing our individual and collective human rights on the international stage.

In this context, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has become a key space where we raise our voices, share our perspectives, and work toward global solutions that recognize, protect, and uphold our rights.

What is CSW, and why is it important for Indigenous Women?

The CSW was established on June 21, 1946, by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and has since been the leading intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and women's rights. Over the years, it has worked closely with human rights institutions and UN specialized agencies.

One of CSW’s most significant milestones was the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995. This event marked a crucial step forward in the global agenda for women’s rights and gender equality. However, Indigenous Women were largely excluded from the official discussions, leaving our voices out of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In response, we organized and drafted the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women, a historic document that, while still relevant today, at the time made our struggles, proposals, and perspectives visible from both an individual and a collective lense.

A Milestone: The Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women

Since 1995, our participation in CSW has strengthened. Despite the lack of recognition in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we succeeded in articulating our demands, pointing out the omission of key challenges such as colonial legacies, social inequalities, and the impact of neoliberal models on our communities. We also emphasized the intersectionality of gender, Indigenous identity, and other forms of discrimination, demanding full recognition of our individual and collective rights.

Steady Steps Toward Justice: Key Achievements at CSW

Our advocacy at CSW has led to significant progress, ensuring that our demands are included in resolutions and strengthening our presence in decision-making spaces. Some of the most important milestones include:

• 2005 (CSW49-Beijing+10): The first resolution on Indigenous Women, Resolution 49/7, acknowledges Indigenous Women beyond the ten-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, highlighting their specific needs, poverty conditions, and gender-based violence.
• 2012 (CSW56): Resolution 56/4, titled "Indigenous Women: Key Actors in the Eradication of Poverty and Hunger," is adopted. This historic achievement recognizes the crucial role of Indigenous Women and our traditional knowledge in the development processes aimed at poverty eradication.
• 2015 (CSW59-Beijing+20): A high-level panel discussion, "Beijing+20: Voices of Indigenous Women," takes place, along with a press conference to amplify our rights.
• 2017 (CSW61): The empowerment of Indigenous Women is recognized as an emerging priority, with a roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities for our autonomy.
• 2020 (CSW64-Beijing+25): Indigenous Women are explicitly referenced in the political declaration.
• 2022 (CSW66): Indigenous Women are acknowledged in the agreed conclusions and the UN Secretary-General’s report on gender equality.

The Path Forward: Advancing Toward CSW69

In March 2025, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This event presents a critical opportunity to influence global gender equality policies. The International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) reaffirms our commitment to strengthening Indigenous Women’s participation in all decision-making spaces.

During CSW69, FIMI will focus on:

• Political Advocacy: Engaging in high-level discussions to highlight the contributions and challenges of Indigenous Women.
• Reviewing International Commitments: Evaluating progress on implementing the Beijing Platform for Action and other global agreements, with a specific focus on Indigenous Women’s demands.
• Promoting the Implementation of Recommendations: Promote the effective implementation of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 39, which focuses on the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Strengthening Strategic Alliances: Enhancing long-term partnerships with key actors to ensure that Indigenous Women’s proposals are consistently included in policy formulation, programs, and budget allocations.

This year is especially significant as it marks FIMI’s 25th anniversary, reinforcing the importance of our participation in CSW69 to consolidate achievements and address challenges in advancing the rights of Indigenous Women.