In Focus: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Date:

Rendy Solomon, from Gizo, Solomon Islands. She is an advocate for women leading climate solutions and heads a collective called Plasticwise Gizo. Photo: United Nations/Rose

On 9 August, UN Women joins indigenous peoples around the world to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This year, the day focuses on the theme “Indigenous Languages”, and calls to revitalize, preserve, and promote indigenous languages around the world.

The 370 million indigenous people living across 90 countries are the custodians of the majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages. Every two weeks, an indigenous language disappears, risking the loss of indigenous cultures and knowledge.

In statement

Indigenous women play a vital role in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge

Indigenous artists from San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, pause painting work and stand for a photo in front of the “Centre for the Historical Memory of Women”, April 2018. Pictured from left to right: María Nicolasa Chex, Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez, Paula Nicho Cumez, and María Elena Curruchiche. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

The preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge is the theme of this year’s commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is an opportunity to celebrate indigenous women’s rich knowledge about the natural world, health, technologies, distinct rites and rituals, and other significant cultural expressions. Generation after generation, women pass on this traditional knowledge, which is a precious inheritance. Read more

In stories

Portrait of Pratima Gurung taken during the 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. 16 March 2017. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown
From where I stand: “We must be at the table making decisions”
Kamala Thapa is shown on 18 February 2022 in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Photo: UN Women/Uma Bista
In the words of Kamala Thapa: “Put indigenous women and our communities at the centre of climate action”

Mother and daughter from an Indigenous community in Zamboanga, Mindanao are working as seaweed farmers, a business that is increasingly threatened by global warming. Photo: Curtesy of Kathleen Lei Limayo
From where I stand: “Nature is life, not something that can be reduced to a piece of paper”
Two women attend a meeting of indigenous women leaders in Puyo, Ecuador. Photo: Spotlight Initiative/Johanna Alarcón
The indigenous women leading efforts to end gender-based violence around the world [Spotlight Initiative/Safe and Fair Programme]

In projects

Photo: Yakel, Yakel Village, Tanna Island, Vanuatu, 2011. Photo: Jimmy Nelson B.V.
Indigenous Women for Climate Justice

In photos

In social media

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