International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated on August 9, every year worldwide. It highlights the role of indigenous people and significance of preserving their rights. UNESCO celebrates this day by sharing information on projects and activities in line with the annual theme of the day.
Theme of the Day:
In year 2022, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being observed under the theme- “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.” The theme signifies the importance of indigenous women in preserving the ancestral knowledge, protecting natural resources and indigenous territories.
Condition of indigenous women:
Indigenous women are inadequately represented across the world. They face several discrimination and violence.
Rights of Indigenous people
Rights of the Indigenous people exist to recognise their specific condition. Rights include- the basic human rights of physical survival & integrity, as well as rights on their land, religion, language, and other elements of cultural heritage.
History of the Day:
The United Nations General Assembly has passed the resolution 49/214 on December 23, 1994 to declare August 9 as International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. On August 9, 1982, the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations had the first meeting. Year 1993 was also celebrated as “International Year of the World’s Indigenous People”.
