The work and recommendations of the International Indigenous Womens Forum

During the 8^th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which I attended as a BIC delegate, the International Indigenous Women's Forum (Foro Internacional de Mujeres Indigenas - FIMI) hosted a side-event "Estado de Implementacion de las Recomendaciones del Foro Permanente Para Cuestiones Indigenas" (Status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Permanent Forum). Five panelists shared their perspectives and offered recommendations for improving the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I found interesting the recommendation to have a Universal Periodic Review process where countries report back to the Forum regarding their implementation efforts. It was also suggested that indigenous groups and peoples be updated regarding resolutions that make mention of indigenous issues, particularly in regards to women.

Side-event hosted by the International Indigenous Women's Forum.

It was highlighted that FIMI, along with other institutions, is working to develop indicators to monitor the implementation of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women). These indicators could be presented as questions addressed to governments. For example: "Is it right to say that laws, politics and actions exist to promote the loss of indigenous identity?" The representative from UNIFEM was very hopeful about the future as she shared the organization's experience in Ecuador, where UNIFEM advocates for justice in the context of both ancestral and modern practices. Issues such as violence against women cannot easily be dealt with in the sphere of ancestral justice so women are working hard to advocate that it address the issue of the rights of women. They have been very active in addressing the Ecuadorian Constitution and are demanding from the government to have access to non-indigenous law/justice.

Other panelists shared stories and about violence against indigenous women and children; others spoke of war as the cause of oppression among indigenous groups. In some regions of the world, militarization of countries is still visible today. In India, indigenous peoples have risen to resist and oppose this. This type of violence is one of the reasons that younger generations migrate to large centers such as New Delhi in search of a better life only to find violence that ultimately leads to disappointment, insecurity and sometimes death.

The message of the panelists was clear: the time for action is now. Children and youth should be given the opportunity of a quality education as they are the ones who will carry the culture forward and will need to strive to make the necessary changes in attitudes and behavior. The world has enough documents, declarations and Constitutions by which individuals can defend their rights. The time for action has come.