FIMI is a network of strong Indigenous women leaders from Asia, Africa, and the Americas, whose purpose is to strengthen Indigenous women's networks, increase their participation and visibility in the international arena, and build capacity.
The Indigenous Women's Movement
Recognizing the multifaceted nature of Indigenous women's struggles, Indigenous women's organizations have always taken on a diverse range of issues, including sexual and reproductive rights, the right to bilingual and multicultural education and health services, political and economic participation, access to land and natural resources, availability of micro-loans, and technical training. At the same time, women have carved out roles for themselves in local and territorial governments as well as in national and international arenas.
Historically, Indigenous women have had to fight to be respected and hold important positions in mixed-gender Indigenous organizations. Thanks to the work of many strong Indigenous women, this is beginning to change. A number of male leaders now recognize that women should have a greater role in the political arena. These men advocate a new focus for the Indigenous movement: one that takes into account women's perspectives.
In addition to collaborating with women's sections of mixed Indigenous organizations, Indigenous women have also formed women-only organizations and networks. In the last 10 years, these organizations have grown in size and in strength.
Today there are Indigenous women mayors, council members, and national deputies. In Ecuador, an Indigenous woman served as Chancellor of the Republic, and in Guatemala, an Indigenous woman was named Ambassador of Indigenous Peoples. In both Venezuela and Ecuador, Indigenous deputies have been members of national Parliament. Currently, an Indigenous woman is the Chairperson of the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Indigenous women have been careful not to separate their demands from those of their Peoples. Their position is that while Indigenous Peoples continue to be marginalized and discriminated against, it will be impossible to recognize the specific rights of Indigenous women. To construct their identities as Indigenous women, they must maintain an equilibrium between their identification with the collective Indigenous identity and their specific challenges as women.
Indigenous women's organizations do not threaten the cultural cohesion of their communities. They understand that the collective advancement of Indigenous Peoples will strengthen the position of Indigenous women both within Indigenous society and within a national, multicultural society. They do not see the struggles of Indigenous Peoples as a challenge to their own struggles as Indigenous women. The recognition of their rights as Indigenous women is inextricably tied to the recognition of the rights of their Peoples.
Read "Indigenous Women Create New International Organization" By Lea Nicholas-Mackenzie.