Combating violence against indigenous women and girls
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) adopted recommendations on combating violence against indigenous women and girls at its 11th session in May 2012. The recommendations were based on those from the International Expert Group Meeting on Combating Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls, held in January 2012.
The group was working in response to Article 22 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: “States shall take measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination.” The focus on indigenous women and girls’ issues at the UNPFII was significant, as indigenous women’s issues had received little airtime in previous sessions. According to the UN Non-Governmental Liaison Services Round-Up of the forum, the experts aimed to articulate a holistic approach to dealing with violence against women “that recognizes indigenous peoples’ ongoing struggles for self-determination in the face of multidimensional discrimination and socioeconomic disadvantages”. The experts focused on policing and jurisdiction, and also outlined anti-violence strategies.
Tags: Women
