Cultural Survival Report Highlights Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Nepal

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Cultural Survival Report on Indigenous Women's Rights is a document submitted by Cultural Survival and its partners to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) addressing the violations of indigenous women's rights in Nepal. The report outlines the various forms of discrimination and human rights abuses faced by indigenous women, including economic, social and cultural marginalization, as well as violence and exclusion from political and decision-making processes. CEDAW is a key international human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1979 to eliminate discrimination against women and promote gender equality worldwide. Countries that are signatories to CEDAW are required to submit regular reports on their progress toward gender equality which are then reviewed by the CEDAW committee. Cultural Survival an organization dedicated to defending the rights of indigenous peoples along with its partners, has emphasized the specific struggles faced by indigenous women in Nepal, including: Discrimination and Inequality: Indigenous women experience compounded discrimination due to both their gender and ethnicity, limiting their access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Violence and Abuse: Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by various forms of violence, including domestic abuse, sexual violence and human trafficking, often with little access to legal protection or justice.

Cultural and Political Exclusion: Indigenous women are frequently excluded from political and decision-making processes, which restricts their ability to advocate for their rights and access resources. Land Rights and Environmental Threats: Indigenous women, particularly those in rural areas, face threats to their land rights and livelihoods, often due to state policies or development projects that disregard their traditional land use and rights. The report submitted to CEDAW calls attention to these violations, urging the Nepali government to take concrete actions to address the systemic challenges faced by indigenous women and ensure their rights are respected in line with both international human rights standards and Nepal’s obligations under CEDAW. It also advocates for the active inclusion of indigenous women in decision-making processes at local, national and international levels. This alternative report serves as a vital tool to hold governments accountable, promote the protection of indigenous women's rights and further the goals of gender equality and social justice.