INTRODUCTION
In 2013, the Tebtebba launched a project called the “Indigenous Women’s
Global School: Capacity Building and Empowerment in Asia” funded by the
United Nations Fund for Gender Equality ( UNFGE). This was implemented by
the Asian Indigenous Women’s Network with its country partner organizations in
Nepal and the Philippines from January 2013 to June 2015. The project aimed at
building the capacities of indigenous women and their organizations and/or
communities to be more critical of the violence they encounter daily as a process
towards indigenous women’s empowerment. Part of the project process is an
exercise on documenting all forms of violence that indigenous women face in
selected communities.
The following report stems mostly from the results of the activities and processes
undertaken during the project implementation in the Philippines from January
2013 to June 2015 including additional information received from InnabuyogGabriela, Silingang Dapit sa Sidlakang Mindanao, Teduray Women’s Group and
the Kalumaran-Bai as partners. These results of the study, including the stories
cited in the report are illustrative of the specific situations of the rights and
freedoms of indigenous women in various contexts in the country and not
exhaustive.
Throughout the project implementation, indigenous women participants have also
noted the impacts of the State’s comprehensive poverty alleviation program that
has reached targeted communities. Locally referred to as the “4Ps” ( Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program) it has a specific program plan for indigenous
peoples plus a Modified Conditionalities Cash Transfer (MCCT) program to
address identified bottlenecks.
The report is divided into 2 main parts with references to the combine 7th and 8th
State report to CEDAW . Part 1 is on Gender and Human Rights Violations as it
pertains to indigenous women relative to CEDAW General Recommendation
Numbers 12 ,19 and 33 and the UNSC Resolution 1325. Part 2, Sustainable
3