Our Methodology of Work:

Indigenous Women's Political Participation

FIMI's advocacy centers on strengthening the impact of Indigenous women in decision-making processes, as well as in global dialogue on human rights and women's rights. FIMI works to support the attendance of Indigenous women leaders at regional and UN-level conferences, to promote collaboration among women's human rights organizations (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous), and to publicize the struggles and achievements of Indigenous women through various media.

Strategies:

  • Build networks and alliances with the global women's human rights movement.
  • Strengthen relationships among activists and organizations in the international Indigenous women's rights movement.
  • Monitor the objectives of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the role of Indigenous women in this process.
  • Promote the participation of Indigenous women in broader social movements such as anti-poverty, HIV/AIDS, sustainable development, and environmental and sexual rights.
  • Coordinate with UN agencies with respect to Indigenous women.
  • Increase visibility of Indigenous women in publications, websites, radio programs, and video documentaries.
  • Research and documentation on indigenous women's rights.

Capacity Building/ Knowledge Building

Through training and human-resource building, FIMI aims to support its Indigenous women members in their professional growth and development, helping participants to improve communication with their constituents at the local and national levels and to acquire the skills they need to influence social, cultural, political, and economic debates in the regional and international arenas.

Strategies:

  • International Indigenous Women Fellowship program
  • Regional trainings and seminars
  • Annual trainings during session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
  • Develop thematic areas of work at the national level in countries such as Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Peru

Resource Mobilization

FIMI aspires to mobilize resources to finance Indigenous women's work on a local level and support Indigenous Peoples' advocacy in the international arena. FIMI intends to establish a funding body, led by Indigenous women, that responds to their specific needs, aids the growth of their organizations, and motivates gender equality, gender mainstreaming, civil society participation, development, peace, security, and disarmament in their lives and in the lives of Indigenous Peoples' as a whole.

Strategies:

  • Establish an Indigenous Women's Fund as a program of FIMI with its own structure and by-laws.
  • Strengthen the fundraising strategy of the Indigenous Women's Fund.
  • Provide grants in a manner that is consistent with Indigenous cosmovisions and takes into account the dynamics of the Indigenous movement.

Institutional Strengthening

In order to succeed in our advocacy endeavors and maintain our increasingly expanding global vision, FIMI looks to streamline its organizational capacity in an international context by increasing its visibility to the world and creating direct regional connections. The central coordinating office of FIMI will work in conjunction with regional offices in a united effort to cement FIMI's transcontinental programs.Strategies:

  • Build FIMI regional offices in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America to implement FIMI's strategic and operational work plan.
  • Strengthen FIMI's coordinating office to raise visibility and support regional offices.
  • Develop and expand financial management systems and fundraising plans for FIMI's program.