Violence against indigenous women has become visible on an international level because of the efforts of indigenous women’s coalitions. During the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995), indigenous women worked together to create the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women. This declaration critiqued the official Beijing Declaration for failing to acknowledge global issues that disproportionately or uniquely affect indigenous women, especially development issues. Specific concerns about violence against indigenous women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and violence in armed conflict are also included in this declaration.
At the Beijing+5 meeting in 2000, the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) was created, and the first Indigenous Women’s Forum was held. FIMI’s goals are to “amplify Indigenous women's voices in the international arena; strengthen local Indigenous women's organizations; and promote collaboration between the Indigenous women's movement and the non-Indigenous global women's movement.” One of FIMI’s major contributions is their Companion Report to the UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Women, Mairin Iwanka Raya: Indigenous Women Stand against Violence (2006). This report describes the spectrum of violence faced by indigenous women and provides a framework for understanding this violence from an indigenous women’s perspective.
National and regional indigenous women’s advocacy organizations include the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (AIWN). NWAC addresses violence against Canadian indigenous women through its Sisters in Spirit program, a research, education, and policy initiative. Program goals include raising national awareness, mobilizing indigenous communities, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, and targeting root causes of violence. AIWN provides networking opportunities for local women’s organizations, engages in lobbying and advocacy, hosts conferences and workshops, and brings a gender perspective into indigenous peoples’ organizations. AIWN publishes a magazine that includes information on violence against indigenous women.
One significant barrier to addressing violence against indigenous women is the scarcity of culturally appropriate services to help victims. Because of a history of violence from the state and majority culture, many indigenous women do not trust the state or organizations run by members of the majority culture to help them. In the United States, Amnesty International found that many indigenous women do not report sexual assault because authorities do not take them seriously. Furthermore, some shelters run by non-indigenous women do not admit Native American women, operating on the stereotype that they may be substance abusers. In other situations, there may not be any services available near indigenous lands.
In response to these problems, indigenous women have formed NGOs to provide prevention and assistance services specifically designed for indigenous women. WomenSpirit Coalition in Seattle, WA helps tribes, law enforcement, social services, and advocates develop programs to help Native American women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Rebecca Lolosoli, a Samburu woman, founded Umoja in Kenya, a women-only village and a refuge for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, and forced and early marriage. Wangki Tangni Women's Center in Nicaragua focuses on the prevention of violence against women through leadership trainings and awareness initiatives, and it also provides an alternative community-based justice system for women victims of violence who cannot access the state’s legal system due to language and geographic barriers. From “Mairin Iwanka Raya: Indigenous Women Stand Against Violence,” International Indigenous Women’s Forum (2006).
The United States and Canadian governments have taken action in response to reports revealing high levels of violence against indigenous women. Since the publication of Amnesty International’s report on sexual violence against Native American and Alaska Native women, members of the U.S. Congress have begun to create a comprehensive plan of action to address law enforcement issues in Indian Country, and the U.S. Senate passed a bill including a mandate that Indian Health Services develop standard procedures for addressing sexual assault. In addition, the 2008 budget provided $940,000 for a national study on sexual violence against indigenous women, as directed by the Violence Against Women Act. From “Maze of Injustice: One Year Update,” Amnesty International (2008).
In Canada, Amnesty International’s report prompted funding for the Native Women’s Association of Canada and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to carry out additional research, and the Saskatchewan government created a plan of action to improve its law enforcement. Though these initiatives in Canada and the U.S. are valuable, they are only the beginning steps to addressing violence against indigenous women. Continued research, funding, and policy changes are essential. From “How many more sisters and daughters do we have to lose?—Canada’s continued failure to address discrimination and violence against Indigenous women,” Amnesty International (2005).
Compiled from: Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women (1995). “About Us,” International Indigenous Women’s Forum (Accessed 27 July 2009). “Mairin Iwanka Raya: Indigenous Women Stand Against Violence,” International Indigenous Women’s Forum “Sisters in Spirit: Background,” Native Women’s Association of Canada (Accessed 27 July 2009). “About AIWN,” Asian Indigenous Women’s Network (Accessed 27 July 2009). “Maze of Injustice,” Amnesty International (2007). “Programs and Services,” WomenSpirit Coalition (Accessed 27 July 2009). Wax, Emily, “A Place Where Women Rule,” Washington Post (9 July 2005). “Maze of Injustice: One Year Update,” Amnesty International (2008). “How many more sisters and daughters do we have to lose?—Canada’s continued failure to address discrimination and violence against Indigenous women,” Amnesty International (2005).