A/RES/69/2 Outcome document of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

The first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples was held on 22-23 September 2014. The meeting was an opportunity to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples, including pursuing the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The UN Outcome document specifies efforts to precent and eliminate violence particularly against Indigenous Women and Girls in numbers 18 and 19 (page 3).

S/RES/1325 Security Council Resolution on Women and Peace and Security

This was the first landmark Security Council resolution on women, peace and security. The resolution 1325 (2000) addresses the impact of war on women and the importance of women’s full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. The resolution also calls for special measures to protect women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence and outlines gender-related responsibilities of the United Nations in different political and programmatic areas.

Numbers 10 and 11 (pg. 3) specifically address gender-based violence.

A/RES/48/163 International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, February 18, 1994

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolutions A/RES/48/163 and launched the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (1995-2004) to increase the United Nations’ commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. As part of the Decade, several UN specialized agencies worked with Indigenous Peoples to design and implement projects on health, education, housing, employment, development, and the environment to promote the protection of Indigenous peoples and their traditional customs, values, and practices.

E/C.19/2015/2 20-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the future: a framework to advance indigenous women's issues

A 20-year review of The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a visionary agenda for the empowerment of women, with a focus on Indigenous Women's issues. 

Number 89 in Conclusions discusses findings that identified violence against Indigenous Women as the most targeted action by States over the years.

A/RES/69/313 Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (Addis Ababa Action Agenda)

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides a new global framework for financing sustainable development tghat aligns all financing flows and policies with economic, social and environmental priorities. It consists of over 100 concrete measures that draw from a variety of sources to support mobilization of the means for a global transformation to sustainable development.

Numbers 6 (pg. 3) and 112 (pg. 31) specify gender equality and the prevention of violence in particular against women and children.

A/RES/70/1 Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

Specific reference is made to preventing discrimination and violence of women and girls everywhere in Goal 5, 5.1-5.3 (pg. 18)

The Declaration and Program of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban

The World Conference against Racism (2001), as it was known, led to the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) – a comprehensive and visionary document that embodies the world’s commitment to tackle the scourge of racism in all its forms and manifestations.

Section that specifies violence against Indigenous Women and Girls found in page 51, number 18.

Section that specifies discrimination against women and girls generally found in page 30, number 69.

Convention No. 169 of the International Labor Organization on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

The ILO Convention 169 is based on respect for the cultures and lifestyles of indigenous and tribal peoples, and recognizes their right to define their own development priorities.

Article 3.1 refers to the enjoyment of these rights without discrimination based on gender.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved in 1948

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) protects the rights of every individual, everywhere. It was the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection in order for every individual to live their lives freely, equ­­ally and in dignity. The Declaration outlines 30 rights and freedoms that belong to all and that nobody can take away. The rights that were included continue to form the basis for international human rights law. 

Article 2 guarantees protection from any discrimination based on any distinction, such as race, sex, or religion.

Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence against Women "Convention of Belem Do Para".

The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women, known as the Convention of Belém do Pará (where it was adopted in 1994), defines violence against women, establishes that women have the right to live a life free of violence and that violence against women constitutes a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

It calls for the first time for the establishment of mechanisms for protecting and defending women's rights as essential to combating the phenomenon of violence against women's physical, sexual, and psychological integrity, whether in the public or the private sphere, and for asserting those rights within society.

Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and its Optional Protocol

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

A/RES/61/295 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, wellbeing and rights of the world's indigenous peoples. The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity; rights to education, health, employment, language, and others.

Articles 22.1 and 22.2 (page 9) specify protections and rights relevant to Indigenous Women and Girls.
 

CEDAW/C/GC/39 General Recommendation 39 on the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls

General Recommendation No. 39, adopted by CEDAW in 2022, includes the first language in a binding international treaty focused on the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls and answers to an enduring call by Indigenous women for a specific instrument to further and protect their rights.