2022 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Indigenous women are the backbone of indigenous peoples’ communities and play a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of traditional ancestral knowledge. They have an integral collective and community role as carers of natural resources and keepers of scientific knowledge. Many indigenous women are also taking the lead in the defense of lands and territories and advocating for indigenous peoples’ collective rights worldwide.
However, despite the crucial role that indigenous women play in their communities as breadwinners, caretakers, knowledge keepers, leaders, and human rights defenders, they often suffer from intersecting levels of discrimination on the basis of gender, class, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Their right to self-determination, self-governance, and control of resources and ancestral lands have been violated over centuries.
Small but significant progress has been made by indigenous women in decision-making processes in some communities. They are leaders at local and national levels, and stand at the frontlines of defending their lands, their cultures, and their communities. The reality, however, remains that indigenous women are widely under-represented, disproportionately negatively affected by decisions made on their behalf, and are too frequently the victims of multiple
expressions of discrimination and violence.
To celebrate this important event, the Department of Education through the International Cooperation Office in coordination with other education stakeholders and agencies will be conducting an online activity entitled, “2022 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous Heroines and their Role in IP Communities” on 9 August 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Philippine Standard Time).
The activity will highlight the role of Indigenous women in their communities and how they were able to make an impact on its preservation and protection.