Development Account Projects
Engaging indigenous women: local government capacity-building through new technologies in Latin America
Background:
The indigenous peoples in Latin America are among the poorest in a region that is characterized by considerable levels of inequality, exclusion and insecurity. Indigenous communities are usually the most marginalized in terms of their ability to have access to and benefit from public services and participate in the political process. Frequently they have only limited access to education, training, information and networking — all of which may have a significant effect on their opportunities for development. Within indigenous communities, women are often the poorest, most marginalized and most unaware of their human and political rights.
The project is aimed at helping indigenous women to become further involved in the local decision-making processes through the use of ICT to increase their networking (communication of many with many), outreach and information-sharing capacity. ICT can facilitate several stages of political consultation and participation, e.g., through setting up shared virtual spaces and making available and sorting out relevant traditional and new information.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues urged Member States to take concrete steps to increase the participation of indigenous women in governance and decision-making structures at all levels. The General Assembly, in its resolution 59/174 proclaiming the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, called for, inter alia, the implementation of action-oriented programmes and specific projects, increased technical assistance and relevant standard-setting activities for indigenous people.
The project will be implemented by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with ECLAC and the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.
Objective:
To strengthen the capacity of institutions at the national and community levels in selected Latin American countries to better engage indigenous women in decision-making processes by utilizing new information and communication technologies.
Expected accomplishments:
- Upgraded institutional and community capacity in local governance by engaging indigenous women and communities
- Change in the content of information available to and directed at indigenous women, including more gender-sensitive media images and practical information related to indigenous women’s empowerment and development
- Increased knowledge and use of existing and new information technologies by local governments and indigenous women and communities
Implementation status:
Implementation started in early 2007 and activities are being carried out.
