09 Aug 2022

Written by Ms Savanna Strauss

The 9th of August marks both National Women’s Day in South Africa and the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This year the UN is focusing on the role of role of indigenous women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge.

In their support for today, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat observes: 

Through their knowledge, indigenous women can provide valuable information to the global community about conservation and sustainable use.

This will be evident in the forthcoming IPBES asessment of the sustainable use of wild species. Its recently released Summary for Policy Makers emhasizes the importance of the sustainable use of wild species to indigenous peoples stating the following:

Sustainable use of wild species is central to the identity and existence of many indigenous peoples and local communities.

Wild species play essential roles in the well-being of many indigenous peoples and local communities. Loss of opportunity to engage in sustainable use of wild species represents an existential threat to indigenous peoples and local communities.

Sustainable use of wild species contributes to the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities through subsistence, as well as trade in informal and formal markets.

Indigenous peoples manage fishing, gathering, terrestrial animal harvesting and other uses of wild species on more than 38 million km² of land in 87 countries.

The central role that indigenous people play through the sustainable use of Africa’s wild species was also highlighted at the Kigali Call to Action from last month’s IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress:

We call for support to Africa’s Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth… to sustain the wisdom, traditions, scientific and traditional knowledge, and customary approaches that will result in effective conservation and the long-term resilience of nature, culture, livelihoods and human well-being.

We call for promotion of truly sustainable use of natural resources and investment in building an appropriate wildlife economy, through rights-based approaches and with the involvement of rights-holders and stakeholders.

As the CBD Secretariat further explains:

Particular attention should be paid to the rights and needs of indigenous women, as they are critical for advancing a rights-based approach in conservation policies. 

Today, as we celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa and the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, let’s recognise the important contribution of indigenous women in Africa to ensuring that the use of wild species is rights-based, sustainable, and enhances community well-being. 

Savanna Strauss, AWEI Junior Officer