Indigenous women and international law

The respect for human rights in international law entails a basic principle for our existence in a globalised world, where socio-legal, economic, cultural, and physical boundaries are polarised and fluid. Innovative concepts and new developmental approaches are emerging to augment gender equity and equality for all. The growing recognition of women’s leadership role in diverse sectors, at local, regional and international levels is indicative of the need to bridge the chasm by prioritising the gender justice agenda, especially regarding the impact, effect and role of international law on Indigenous women. Specifically, efforts made by Indigenous women in the Global South who are charting their own course in international law, while resisting Western hegemonic dominance to engineer social change, warrants examination, support and understanding. Referencing the impact of colonial history on Indigenous feminists in the Global South, this chapter adds to existing discourse on the prospects of Indigenous women’s engagement with international law. The chapter concludes that while the future of Indigenous women in international law is grim, a focus on creating a new generation of young leaders is recommended.