Abstract:

Indigenous women all over the world make an important contribution to their communities and to the world of work. However, they experience discrimination, not only on the ground of sex, but also because indigenous identity, ethnicity, colour and religion. This multiple discrimination is particularly evident as they enter and advance through the labour market. Over the past decades, the livelihood of indigenous women has undergone major changes as indigenous peoples have increasingly lost control over their ancestral lands, lands they traditionally occupy and natural resources. As a result, in order to supplement their household income and survive, an increasing number of indigenous women are entering the formal and informal labour market, as self-employed workers or wage earners.