Violence against women and girls is a pervasive violation of human rights that persists worldwide and cuts across all socio-economic groups. This new collaborative study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the magnitude, nature and context of violence experienced specifically by indigenous girls, adolescents and young women.
Drawing on examples from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, the study assesses the interface between the historical, political, economic, social and cultural contexts of indigenous peoples, and examines the types of violence they face, their prevalence and the settings in which they take place. The report looks at different interventions underway and offers insights and comprehensive recommendations – including a set of guiding principles – to accelerate progress and action to protect and prevent violence against indigenous girls and women in all its forms.
The study provides clear evidence that indigenous girls, adolescents and young women face a higher prevalence of violence, harmful practices, labor exploitation, and harassment, and are more vulnerable to sexual violence in armed conflicts. It also underscores that violence against indigenous girls and women cannot be separated from the wider contexts of discrimination and exclusion to which indigenous peoples as a whole are often exposed in social, economic, cultural and political life.
Addressing discrimination and engaging with indigenous girls and women to implement accessible initiatives geared towards ending the unacceptable cycle of violence and impunity is an imperative for all countries.
The study was undertaken through a systematic desk review of quantitative and qualitative sources spanning between 2000 and 2013 to reflect the period from when a substantial number of relevant studies and surveys were initiated.
Key Findings:
- Violence against women and girls is a pervasive violation of human rights that persists in every country in the world and cuts across all socio-economic groups. Although efforts are being harnessed to address the situation, more remains to be done.
- Violence against indigenous girls and women cannot be separated from the wider contexts of discrimination and exclusion to which indigenous peoples as a whole are often exposed in social, economic, cultural and political life. Challenges – such as land dispossession, conflict, insecurity, displacement, low rates of birth registration, limited access to culturally appropriate education and health services (including sexual and reproductive health), the lack of access to justice and other essential services, including social services – create conditions affecting their development, human security and the exercise of their human rights.
- Indigenous girls and women are also at risk of violence in communities where intra-communal and inter-communal conflicts have arisen, as well as in those communities that conform to deeply-rooted patriarchal systems and practices that relegate women and girls to subordinate roles and positions in society.
- While there is a growing body of evidence on the magnitude, nature and consequences of gender-based violence globally, knowledge of its extent among specific groups such as those of indigenous background is limited and tends to vary considerably by issue and region.
- Critical gaps in research identified in this study potentially serve to shape a future research agenda. The study elicits more in-depth appreciation of two major areas, namely: 1) the full extent to which indigenous women and girls are affected by the different forms of violence identified in this research and others documented in the United Nations Secretary-General’s studies on violence against women and violence against children; and 2) effective strategies for preventing and responding to violence against indigenous girls and women, including documenting lessons learned and assessing the impact of existing legal, policy and institutional reforms.
