International Day of Indigenous Women observed across Latin America

September 5 marks the International Day of Indigenous Women, a date established in 1983 to honor Bartolina Sisa, an Aymara leader who fought against Spanish colonial oppression. Across Latin America, various communities and institutions are holding events to recognize the cultural, political, and environmental leadership of indigenous women.

In Mexico, members of the Chamber of Deputies commemorated the day, highlighting the ongoing debt to the 20.3 million indigenous women facing poverty and discrimination. In Argentina, local municipalities in Trevelin and Comodoro Rivadavia organized cultural exchanges and ceremonies to value ancestral knowledge and the role of women in preserving traditions.

Human rights organizations, including the UN and CEDAW, have used the occasion to call for increased protection against violence, discrimination, and the criminalization of indigenous women defenders. In Peru, indigenous women are noted for their leadership in managing water resources and responding to climate change impacts in regions like Loreto. In Guatemala, discussions emphasize that indigenous women are not merely cultural symbols but active subjects of rights and decision-making.