"States must ensure leadership roles for indigenous women: UN experts", 8 Aug 2022

On the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, a group of UN experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples, issued a statement urging States to take affirmative action to guarantee the full public and political participation of Indigenous women and girls. 'Indigenous women are disproportionately impacted by the ecological, economic and spiritual effects of extractive industries on their lands. Their knowledge is devalued when the natural resources they steward are exploited without their free, prior and informed consent. Loss of access to and ownership of lands deprives them of their community roles and occupations and threatens their ability to maintain and transmit their scientific and technical knowledge. States should ensure effective legal protection of indigenous women’s rights to lands, territory and resources and promote the meaningful participation of indigenous women in the management and regulation of their lands and resources. This must include their participation in consultation processes on administrative and legislative issues as well projects that may impact indigenous lands, territory and resources, with the aim of obtaining their free, prior and informed consent...