Kota Kinabalu: Discriminatory practices affect Indigenous Women and Girls (IWG) individually and as a community, according to a shadow report submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw committee) by The Indigenous Women’s Organisation of Malaysia (PWOAM).

The report focuses on the intersectional discrimination faced by IWG in laws, policies and government programmes in Malaysia as well as issues such as participation in politics, education, health and violence against women.

Negative stereotypes and perceptions were found to hinder their development and access to opportunities, affecting their culture, traditional knowledge and identity. A proposed solution for this is to involve IWGs in policy making and provide opportunities for them to ensure the well-being and preservation of their culture.

The report also shows the needs for the participation of IWG in national development plans, having a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach, as well as ensuring meaningful involvement of IWG in law and policy development.