Strengthening Solidarity: Tribal Women Leaders from across the regions gather in Kolkata National Co

Kolkata, India: Indigenous and tribal women leaders from across the regions and country gathered in Kolkata at the “Second National Consultation of Indigenous Women in India” from 28 – 31 January, 2018 to reflect upon the status of indigenous women, key issues, challenges and possibilities to bridge the gender gap. The gathering saw the participation of indigenous women representing various ethnics, organizations and groups from 11 states of India, including the Union territory Daman-Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The aim of the national consultation was to connect all the indigenous women’s groups to build a strong solidarity network and to strengthen grassroots movements. As a part of the preparatory process leading to the national consultation, four regional consultations were held earlier in 2017.

The participants deliberated and reflected on various key issues, challenges impacting on the lives of indigenous peoples, women in particular such as violence against indigenous women, climate change, livelihood, customary laws, land-territory-resources, land and governance, constitutional safeguards, international mechanisms like United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), UNSCR 1325; 1820.

Various strategies and mechanisms were identified to mitigate, combat with the key issues and challenges. Further, regional and national advocacy plan were developed. The four days consultation ended with the formation of national working team.

The indigenous women present pledged to support each other to uphold the rights of the indigenous peoples.

The consultation was organized by the Inter-State Adivasi Women’s Network and Indigenous Women’s Forum for Northeast India (IWFNEI) with the support of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Chiang Mai, Thaliand.