Today, on the 8th of March, Land is Life joins the celebrations of International Women’s Day – a day dedicated to the recognition of women’s and girls’ rights and achievements.
Among many Indigenous peoples, women have traditionally played central and respected roles as custodians of their lands and cultures. However, the loss of collective ownership of natural resources, top-down policies, and depletion of ecosystems, have led to the erosion of their rights. Social structures imposed by colonial and dominant cultures have placed Indigenous women in the margins of the margins, where they face discrimination both for being women and for being Indigenous. Lack of access to land and other resources, under-representation in decision-making processes, and violence are obstacles that many Indigenous women face in their lives.
Yet they persist. As caretakers of land and water, knowledge-holders, healers, and transmitters of culture, Indigenous women have organized at local, national and international levels to address the common issues that they face. Many times, it is Indigenous women who stand at the frontlines of the struggles to protect their territories, cultures, and lives. With them lie many of the solutions to our contemporary problems – if they are given spaces to be genuinely listened to.
At Land is Life, we find that supporting Indigenous women is the most effective way to support Indigenous communities – it is one of the guiding principles of our daily work. Land is Life advocates for:
- Indigenous women’s representation and capacity in decision-making at local, national, and international levels
- Inclusive governance of natural resources: The traditional knowledge of Indigenous women should be guiding the governance and protection of natural resources.
- Socio-economic development and self-determination: Indigenous women should have the means to develop their livelihoods and well-being in ways that support their desires and needs.
Please find below a collection of thoughts from Indigenous rights defenders who are leaders of Land is Life’s mission.
