Indigenous Women and Political Participation

Indigenous Women and Political Participation

Kat Magtoto

There is a huge gap in political participation and representation between indigenous women and men. While most of the indigenous women who participated in the survey believe that women are also capable and should be allowed to lead, those who are able to secure leadership positions are still mostly men. Most indigenous women do not want to run as candidates in the elections because they lack the resources to do so; they are busy with taking care of their families; it is viewed negatively when women take on leadership roles; or their families do not allow them to do so.

During the pandemic, indigenous women experience compounded multiple burdens, but it is also this time that their leadership has been made evident. Indigenous women step up to care for, not just their families, but also their communities during emergencies - including during COVID-19 lockdowns, natural disasters, and continuing armed conflict over land. Indigenous women’s actions exemplify the traits they value in leaders - caring, smart, brave, articulate, and familiar with the issues and situations of their communities. More discussions may be conducted to further understand how indigenous women see themselves as leaders or why they do not see themselves as leaders.

'Indigenous Women and Political Participation' is part of the Sectoral Monitoring on the Situation of Indigenous Women and Girls during the COVID-19 Pandemic by LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights) and the Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Rights Center, published on April 20, 2022.