In this article, Julie Koch, director of the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact, writes about the crucial role of Indigenous women’s leadership in international and local policymaking. Women like Rukka Sombolinggi (Torajan; Indonesia), Piy Macling Malayao (Philippines) and Jannie Lasimbang (Malaysia) are advocating for the rights of Indigenous people, highlighting Indigenous women’s specialized knowledge in biodiversity preservation, forest protection and food security. Because a lack of data tends to impede advocacy efforts, the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact recently launched the Indigenous Navigator, a digital tool that helps Indigenous people monitor the level of recognition and implementation of their rights. Photo credit: Asian Development Bank/Flickr
