Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Delivered by New Zealand Permanent Representative, Lucy Duncan.
Mr President,
Aotearoa New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur for his important report on Indigenous women. We strongly support the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and its renewal this session.
It is clear from the report that the knowledge of Indigenous women is a ‘taonga’, or treasure, which enables the inter-generational transmission and preservation of Indigenous cultures and contributes to ecological, social and physical well-being.
We note with concern the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions on violence against Indigenous women and girls. Aotearoa New Zealand recognises that cultural identity and Indigenous philosophies and practices are integral to solutions for preventing violence against Māori women and girls. Strengthening Māori women’s leadership, by supporting them to share and develop cultural practices that support families and extended groups, is a key element of our national strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.
We note the Special Rapporteur’s conclusion that Indigenous women are often absent from decision-making processes. Given the central role of Indigenous women in the development, application, preservation and transmission of Indigenous knowledge, this inclusion is a pre-requisite to ensuring the proper recognition and necessary protection of Indigenous knowledge within established legal frameworks. The voice of Indigenous Peoples is a crucial part of discussions on best practices to advance Indigenous rights and issues.
Special Rapporteur, how can the Council measure the participation of Indigenous women in decision-making processes to demonstrate successful implementation of the Mechanism’s proposals?
Thank you.