FIMI's Participation at the Tenth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), August 6-9, 2007—Quito, Ecuador

On August 6th, in Quito, Ecuador commenced the Tenth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), with the participation of 33 official delegations and the presence of diverse women's organizations and networks from the region. On this occasion, the Regional Conference tackled two fundamental themes regarding gender equality: 1) political participation and gender equality in decision-making processes on all levels and 2) women's contribution to the economy and to social security, especially in relation to non-remunerated work.

Strategic Planning Meeting for Indigenous Women, August 3-4, 2007—Quito, Ecuador

In a joint initiative between the International Indigenous Women's Forum (IIWF/FIMI), the Continental Network of Indigenous Women - South American Region and the Working Group on the Monitoring of the Agencies of the United Nations, a Strategic Planning Meeting was organized during August 3-4, 2007 in Quito, Ecuador. The goal of the meeting was to have an articulated presence in the Regional Conference in order to carve out a space for the articulation of proposals and strategies and to advance the lobbying processes developed for the Indigenous Women's movement. The Strategic Planning Meeting counted on the participation of representatives from Indigenous Women's Organizations from different countries in the region (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, and Chile).

With the goal of presenting lobbying strategies during the Tenth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Forum of networks, articulations and campaigns for the feminist women's movement in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was organized by the Forum of NGOs, took place in Quito, Ecuador on August 5, 2007 in Hotel Quito. The women of Latin America gathered in Quito, in the framework of the Tenth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, and strived to strengthen their capacities, strategies and lobbying work for the full recognition of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples and the human rights of women. They aimed to advance the lobbying efforts developed by the Indigenous women's movement and by feminists in Mexico, Central America and South America.

The Demands of Indigenous Women

Among the most emphasized demands of Indigenous Women are:

  1. That the states immediately adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, approved by the Human Rights Council in June 2006, as the basic platform for the development and equal participation of Indigenous women, and the recognition of individual and collective human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Indigenous Peoples.
  2. That the agencies, funds and programs of the United Nations, the intergovernmental organizations, international aid and the States adopt measures and ensure resources to implement the recommendations of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, assuring that the themes regarding Indigenous women are made visible and transversalized in politics and in general and specific programs.1 In order to eliminate the barriers that prohibit the equal participation of Indigenous women in the political, economic, cultural, environment and social life of the countries.
  3. That the States motivate the implementation of the Resolution of the Commission of the Legal and Social Conditions of Women, Resolution No. E/CN.6/2005/L.10 with respect to the participation of Indigenous women. To guarantee the legal security of the Indigenous Peoples' collective territories - a fundamental step to ensure real and sustainable social security for the Indigenous Peoples, in particular, Indigenous women.
  4. That the ECLAC's Eleventh Conference on Women has as a fundamental theme the rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendant women, in order to analyze the advancement of Governments in the reduction of inequality.

Parallel Event: "Citizenship and Rights for Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Women"
Wednesday, August 8th, 1:00-2:30
Co-organized by UNIFEM, UNDP, INSTRAW and the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Recognizing that women are essential protagonists for the advancement of the fight against racism, discrimination and related forms of intolerance. These efforts are structural in order to deepen democracy and equality and continue the open dialogue by women of the continent in order to strengthen proposals and reaffirm alliances.

Highlighted Documents from the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean

Speeches by Delegation Representatives before the Plenary Session:

End Notes

1. There are 85 specific recommendations relating to the theme of Indigenous women.