Sexuality, health, and human rights: self-identified priorities of indigenous women in Peru

Abstract

The link between sexuality and development is often not well understood, or it is thought to be a frivolous subject, to be addressed after other, more ‘important’ needs are met. But, from the perspective of indigenous women in Latin America, the right to control sexuality is in fact a crucial element in the improvement of their daily lives. Participatory assessments of health problems with Andean and Amazon women in Peru demonstrate that sexual-rights issues, particularly those related to gender inequality, are identified by the women themselves as the most important obstacles to their good health and well-being.

Notes

1. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted 13 September 2007, by a vote of 143 in favour to 4 against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States), with 11 abstentions.

2. Maternal deaths among indigenous women are higher than in other rural populations. For instance in Peru, Shipibo women are more likely to die of child-birth-related causes than other rural women. Rural women are three times more likely to die in child-birth than urban women.See A. Bant and A. Motta (2001) Género y salud reproductiva. Escuchando a las mujeres de San Martín y Ucayali. Lima: Movimiento Manuela Ramos.

3. In recent years, A South–South initiative called Feminist Dialogues, started in the context of the World Global Forum, has made interesting progress in developing partnerships between women involved in mainstream social movements and women involved in feminist social movements, unlocking potential by connecting isolated agendas and struggles and tapping into diversity among women and the variety of feminisms as a force to realise rights, include new social actors such as indigenous women, disarm patriarchy, and ‘radicalize democracy’. See: www. Feministdialogues.isiswomen.org

4. Cut the Cost – access to medicine campaign: see www.maketradefair.com

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Astrid Bant

Astrid Bant is an anthropologist. She is currently Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, for Oxfam Novib

Françoise Girard

Françoise Girard is a lawyer. She is Director of the Public Health Programme of the Open Society Institute