International Forum of Indigenous Women (FIMI)
Lima, Peru
  • , 2023

    This is a remote volunteer opportunity.

    Background

    The International Forum of Indigenous Women (FIMI) is a global mechanism that brings together Indigenous Women activists and human rights leaders from around the world –
    Asia, Africa, Americas, Pacific and Arctic – to develop a common political agenda, build capacities and develop the leadership of indigenous women. Since its inception, FIMI has paid special attention to the situation of violence faced by Indigenous Women, and has worked to sensitize public opinion and political leaders about the importance of analyzing this problem without losing sight of the structural and colonial framework in which violence is produced and reproduced.
    In this sense, the first study published by FIMI, entitled «Mairin Iwanka Raya: Indigenous Women stand against violence», was a complementary report to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Women in 2006. This study aimed to analyze the situation of Indigenous Women around the world in relation to violence, and provide recommendations to address this problem.
    FIMI's report was widely disseminated and discussed in international forums, and contributed significantly to global awareness of violence from the perspective of indigenous women. Since then, FIMI has continued working in the struggle against the violence faced by Indigenous Women. We have carried out numerous researchers which highlight concrete tools, mechanisms and strategies necessary to carry out successful actions against violence against Indigenous Women and proposing recommendations to ensure that the voice and concerns of Indigenous Women are heard and taken into account in the formulation of policies and programs at the global level.
    In 2010, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues established among its recommendations the need for a "global observatory mechanism led by Indigenous Women and dedicated to gathering, organizing and monitoring information on violence against Indigenous Women and Girls.
    This recommendation was intended to increase the visibility of the problem of violence, as well as to improve advocacy for policy action. In particular, United Nations agencies, such as UN Women, UNFPA, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UNDP and UNICEF, were urged to cooperate and support the creation and consolidation of the Observatory.
    This initiative was an important step forward in the struggle against violence faced by Indigenous Women and Girls around the world. The creation of the Observatory would make it possible to have a mechanism dedicated to collecting information, monitoring and analyzing the situation of violence faced by Indigenous Women and Girls in different countries, which would make it possible to improve the formulation of policies and programs to address this problem.
    The "Wodum" observatory aims to be a global tool led by Indigenous Women that articulates in an interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder way. It will provide substantive information, exchange and build advocacy proposals, from the local to the global and vice versa, and thus contribute to the wellbeing of Indigenous Women, Youth and Girls in all our diversity.
    II. General Objective
    To have a professional student, who under the role of a volunteer, will support the organization and structuring of the observatory's database.
    III.Responsibilities
    1. Prepare the work plan in agreement with the Research and knowledge sharing Coordinator and Program Associate.
    2. To review international human rights instruments and identify key and substantive aspects related to eradicate all forms of violence against Indigenous Women.
    3. Thorough review of the database by country and systematize the findings including the sources of information according to the modules included in the Wodum Observatory platform.
    4. Prepare a database handbook that provides instructions for the processing and systematization of future data that will feed the Observatory's platform.
    IV. Methodology of work
    The student will develop the activities remotely, in coordination and constant communication with the Research and knowledge sharing Coordinator and the Associate of
    the Program.
    V. Deliverables
    1. Workplan
    2. Updated database/matrix with the compilation of findings
    3. A database handbook
    VI. Remuneration and Term of the contract
    No remuneration will be involved as will be volunteer work during 8 weeks starting agreed between the two parties.
    VII. Follow-up
    The work of the student will be carried out under the supervision of the Research and knowledge sharing Coordinator and the Associate of the Program.
    VIII. Professional profile and skills required
    1. General knowledge of the indigenous women´s movement.
    2. Capacity for synthesis and good writing.
    3. Analysis abilities.
    4. Sensitivity and recognition of diversity and multiculturism.
    5. Social commitment to human rights and to women and Indigenous Peoples.
    6. Language ability: Spanish (reading and writing) and English profiency.
    7. Computer skills
    Contact person
    Ms. Nadia Fenly
    Research and knowledge sharing Coordinator
     
    Application Instructions
    To apply, students should email a cover letter and resume to humanrightsed@columbia.edu with the subject line “SVP application - [Name of Organization].” Please submit your application as soon as possible but no later than May 1, 2023. Please indicate the organization(s) that you are interested in working with, and the relevance of this work to your studies. Applications and interview results will then be sent to the hosting organizations, which may request interviews. Final decisions will be announced by end of May.