The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is attending the United Nations the regional 30 year review process of the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan (Beijing+30 Conference) from October 19-22, 2024, in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
Highlights
Here are some highlights from our time there (click to jump to section):
Press Release
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Attends Key International Meetings to advocate for Indigenous Women’s Rights
Monday, October 14, 2024
Geneva, Switzerland – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is proud to announce its participation in key United Nations (UN) sessions taking place throughout October in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
In the News
Coming soon!
Why We Are Attending the Conference
ONWA aims to help inform the UN regional 30 year review process of the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan by attending the Beijing+30 Conference.
ONWA is at the UN advocating for Indigenous women’s rights and holding Canada accountable. It’s time to move beyond promises to action. We are here to make sure Indigenous women’s voices shape the future of gender equality.
ONWA aims to ensure Indigenous women’s voices and experiences are represented during the review process – including bringing attention to the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous women.
At the Conference - Day 1
Saturday, October 19, 2024
ONWA is proud to attend the Beijing+30 Civil Society Forum (CSF) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), ensuring Indigenous women’s voices are heard and represented in the 30-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. We are here to advocate for the safety, rights, and leadership of Indigenous women.
Working towards gender equality
Despite 30 years passing since the Beijing Declaration, no country has achieved full gender equality. ONWA is here to remind Canada and the world that Indigenous women’s safety and rights are non-negotiable.
About the Beijing Declaration
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains a global framework for women’s equality and empowerment. ONWA is here to ensure Indigenous women’s realities and voices shape the future of gender equality.
Amplifying the voices of Indigenous Women
As we join the Civil Society Forum, ONWA is here to amplify the voices of Indigenous women and contribute to workshops addressing key areas of concern such as poverty and safety. Together, we drive change.
At the Conference - Day 2
Sunday, October 20, 2024
ONWA at the Beijing+30 Civil Society Forum
We are proud to stand alongside the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW-ICREF) at the Beijing+30 Civil Society Forum at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Together, we are advocating for the advancement of women’s rights on the global stage.
Collaboration for Women’s Rights
ONWA’s Ingrid Green, Director of Research and Evaluation, connects with Jacqueline Neapole, Executive Director of CRIAW-ICREF, at the Beijing+30 Civil Society Forum. We’re working together to uplift women’s voices in global conversations on equality and human rights.
ONWA is focused on bringing attention to Indigenous women’s rights during the UNECE Regional Review. We are here to ensure Indigenous voices are central in shaping gender equality for the next 30 years.
ONWA speaks at the Civil Society Forum
Ingrid Green, Director of Research and Evaluation at ONWA, shared an empowering message about allyship and Indigenous women’s leadership:
"Another best practice is allyship. This means giving up space, sharing space, and sharing that privilege to ensure that Indigenous women are part of decision-making, and that Indigenous women need to lead for ourselves."
At the Conference - Day 3
Monday, October 21, 2024
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Canadian Beijing+30 Networkreleased a report today titled: Missed Opportunities: A Parallel Report on Canada’s Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The report provides an analysis of the 12 priority areas of concern identified in 1995 as well as additional information on key policy areas including those that are essential to the realization of Indigenous women’s rights and gender equality today.
Download your copy here: http://bpfacanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/missed-opportunities-FINAL.pdf
One of ONWA’s key advocacy points at the Beijing+30 Regional Review is that Indigenous women must be included in decision making not just at a regional or State level but also within the United Nations. It is IW's inherent right as life givers and water and land defenders to speak on our own behalf and represent ourselves, our families and our future generations.
ONWA and CRIAW are working together and are part of a larger network of organizations committed to implementing the Beijing Declaration.
Canada must uphold Indigenous women’s leadership rights by implementing a nation-to-nation/distinctions-based PLUS policy to ensure Indigenous women and their organizations are informed, involved, and consulted, to address key issues of concern for Indigenous women.
At the Conference - Day 4
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Beijing+30 UNECE Regional Review
ONWA continues advocate for Canada to provide core, sustainable funding to Indigenous women’s organizations allowing them to design, implement, and analyze Indigenous led, culturally grounded responses to poverty.
Resource extraction projects can have devastating impacts on Indigenous women’s safety. ONWA is calling on Canada to develop strategies to ensure Indigenous women’s safety and wellbeing.
ONWA is advocating for Canada to create a National Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Body with imbedded Indigenous women/girl led pillars. Better coordination between service providers such as police and child welfare agencies would improve how we are addressing and responding to human trafficking.
The Beijing+30 UNECE Regional Review has come to a close. Advocacy for Indigenous women’s rights and safety must continue. ONWA is proud to have amplified the voices of Indigenous women at Beijing+30.
Congratulations on this wonderful, deep work you are doing. I realize that NWAC has different priorities, but still a bit disappointed they were't there. Bless you all. Pamela Thomson