Indigenous women in the fight for gender justice

The Anglican Communion Office’s Gender Justice department has invited Ruihana Paenga, a member of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, to reflect on the voices of indigenous women in the fight for gender justice in the context of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Ruihana Paenga was a member of the Anglican Communion delegation at UNCSW63 in 2019.

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Last year I was greatly inspired by my first foray into the United Nations at the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women CSW63.  I had nerves about being out of my depth and overwhelmed by the experience however there was no time or space for those nerves to surface.  Especially in New York!  And while New York never sleeps it can equally be said that the feminist movement never sleeps!  I realised even more that I am a beneficiary of the depth and the longevity of feminist commitment to improving outcomes for women at home and on the worldstage.  That commitment by generations of Mana Wahine (woman power) has not and MUST not cease, that those of us committed to the work of love, to spreading good news and discipling others to achieve those same ends MUST not cease!

I came away feeling impassioned, awakened and focused on ending human suffering and overturning policy, attitudes and cultures that suppress, debilitate and violate our sisters and brothers that we are called to love and serve.  I came away with an urgency to educate and speak up at forums in my Church, in local and national government and regional UN Forums.  I began to lobby my own people for gender equality, which I describe as Mana Wahine because our Māori women are akin to Mana Wahine but less so to the term gender equality.

When the hype toned down, I looked for guidance, to meditate on the many ideas and pathways this experience had afforded me.  One of our elders, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, said: “If you are going to empower people, you have to disempower what is there.  Not totally, but break it down and push.”  I value this advice because it reminded me that it’s a long process. 25 years ago women who are now in senior levels of tribal and national leadership were present at Beijing with the Māori Women’s Welfare League advocating for women like me and Mahinarangi, the young leader I will bring with me to CSW64.  It is my turn to hold the space for a new generation of young leaders from Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and the communion.

Returning to CSW64, one thing I want to acknowledge is the intentionality, policy and process the ACOUN has in bringing together the Anglican delegation. There is huge potential for partnerships to grow and do more together with other Act Alliance, Christian Council of Churches, Church of Sweden and even secular civil society organisations.

I hope as a communion, we continue to elevate young people into positions and opportunities of influence, and that we would have the same intentionality towards all UN Forums such as Climate Change and the Permanent Forum on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.