Indigenous Women Development Affairs-IWDA

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Indigenous Women Development Affairs-IWDA Working for indigenous Women affairs .

Defending the Environment Means Defending People and Their Rights.IWDA was honoured to participate in the Environmental ...
10/09/2026

Defending the Environment Means Defending People and Their Rights.

IWDA was honoured to participate in the Environmental Human Rights Defenders Convening for East Africa and Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand.

The gathering created an important space for defenders to share their experiences, challenges and strategies for protecting Indigenous Peoples, local communities, land, natural resources and civic space.

For communities defending their territories, environmental protection is not an abstract issue. It is about homes, livelihoods, culture, identity, traditional knowledge and the future of generations to come.

We also recognize that environmental human rights defenders increasingly face intimidation, restrictions, criminalization and other forms of pressure simply for speaking out and defending community rights.

The Bangkok convening strengthened connections between defenders across regions and opened opportunities for continued learning, collaboration, solidarity and joint advocacy.

IWDA returns with renewed determination to strengthen the voices of Indigenous communities and environmental defenders in Tanzania and beyond.

When defenders stand together, communities are stronger.
When communities are protected, the environment is protected.
FSC Indigenous Foundation Human Rights Watch & Amnesty International Cultural SurvivalMinority Rights Group UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples UNESCO United Nations UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls | 5 September 2026Today, IWDA celebrates the strength, leade...
05/09/2026

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls | 5 September 2026

Today, IWDA celebrates the strength, leadership, knowledge and resilience of Indigenous women and girls.

Across Indigenous communities, women are knowledge keepers, protectors of culture, stewards of land and biodiversity, caregivers, educators and powerful advocates for their communities.

Yet Indigenous women and girls continue to face barriers to land rights, education, healthcare, justice, economic opportunities and meaningful participation in decision-making.

At IWDA, we believe Indigenous women must not only be included in conversations about development, climate action and environmental protection, but their voices must help shape the decisions that affect their communities, territories and future.

We stand with Indigenous women and girls in Tanzania and around the world.

Their knowledge matters. Their leadership matters. Their rights matter. Their voices belong at every table.
Cultural Survival en Español FIMI UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre United Nations

01/09/2026

🌿What if one of the most effective paths to climate resilience is not a new technology – but secure land rights?

In Wosi Wosi village in northern Tanzania, Indigenous Maasai pastoralists have managed to secure communal land rights allowing them to implement locally governed grazing plans.

During periods of drought, the community maintains pasture reserves and livestock health – while providing grazing for herds arriving from as far away as Kenya.

Our new policy knowledge product, developed with Ujamaa Community Resource Team, shows why climate resilience is also about rights and governance.

Because Indigenous knowledge can only drive climate action when Indigenous Peoples have the authority to put it into practice.

📖 Read the publication here: https://www.iwgia.org/en/publications/indigenous-peoples-land-rights-for-climate-resilience

As the UNCCD COP17 negotiations in Mongolia draw to a close, Indigenous Women Development Affairs (IWDA) reflects on the...
27/08/2026

As the UNCCD COP17 negotiations in Mongolia draw to a close, Indigenous Women Development Affairs (IWDA) reflects on the importance of ensuring that Indigenous Peoples, local communities and civil society are not merely present, but meaningfully engaged in shaping decisions about land, restoration and sustainable futures.

Throughout COP17, IWDA has contributed to important dialogues and exchanges on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, Indigenous Data and Territories, pastoralism, land restoration, traditional knowledge and community participation. These conversations reinforce a fundamental message: lasting solutions for land and ecosystems must be built with the people and communities who live on, protect and depend on these landscapes.

For Indigenous and pastoralist communities, land is more than a natural resource. It is a source of identity, culture, livelihoods, knowledge and hope for future generations.

As the negotiations conclude, our commitment continues. IWDA returns to Tanzania with new knowledge, stronger partnerships and renewed determination to advocate for inclusive environmental governance and community-led solutions.

The negotiations may end, but the work continues.

Restoring Land. Protecting Rights. Empowering Communities. Building Hope.


FSC Indigenous Foundation Minority Rights Group Cultural Survival UNESCO United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT UN Climate Change UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples G20 Global Land Initiative NemcTanzania

🌍 IWDA Joins the Dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and Pastoralism at UNCCD COP17Indigenous Women Development Af...
25/08/2026

🌍 IWDA Joins the Dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and Pastoralism at UNCCD COP17

Indigenous Women Development Affairs (IWDA) was proud to be part of the delegation participating in the Dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge Regarding Pastoralism, held during UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The dialogue brought together Indigenous pastoralists and representatives from communities across Africa and Asia to share their perspectives, expectations and priorities concerning pastoralists’ rights and their role in environmental decision-making.

For IWDA, this was an important platform to contribute the voices and experiences of Indigenous and pastoralist communities from Tanzania while learning from pastoralist communities from other regions of the world.

Pastoralism is more than a livelihood. It represents a deep relationship between people, land, livestock, culture, biodiversity and Indigenous knowledge. As global discussions continue on land restoration, climate adaptation and sustainable development, the knowledge and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples and pastoralist communities must be meaningfully recognized and included.

The dialogue also emphasized the importance of stronger transhumance and rangeland governance, as healthy rangelands are essential to food security, climate adaptation, biodiversity and the sustainability of pastoralist communities.

IWDA remains committed to ensuring that Indigenous women, Indigenous Peoples and pastoralist communities are not only represented in global spaces but are able to actively influence decisions that affect their lands, livelihoods and futures.

We thank the UNESCO Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) Programme and all partners and participants for creating this valuable space for dialogue, knowledge exchange and solidarity.

Nothing about Indigenous Peoples and pastoralist communities should be decided without their meaningful participation.
FSC Indigenous Foundation Minority Rights Group Cultural Survival UNESCO United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT UN Climate Change

Tanzania Forest Services Agency UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples

🌍 Different Landscapes. Shared Values. One Connection to the Land. 🇲🇳🇹🇿Today, we stepped beyond the UNCCD COP17 negotiat...
23/08/2026

🌍 Different Landscapes. Shared Values. One Connection to the Land. 🇲🇳🇹🇿

Today, we stepped beyond the UNCCD COP17 negotiation rooms and into the beautiful Mongolian landscape, where IWDA had the privilege of visiting a Mongolian nomadic pastoralist family.

It was a powerful opportunity to learn, reflect and connect with a way of life deeply rooted in land, livestock, culture, nature and traditional knowledge.

Representing Indigenous and pastoralist communities from Tanzania, IWDA’s Executive Director, Nailejileji Asia Tipap, found many shared experiences and values despite the distance between Mongolia and Tanzania. Different landscapes and cultures, yet a common understanding of the importance of land, livestock, identity and community.

Through the Drynet mentorship programme, the mentees also had an opportunity to share their COP17 experiences and lessons with their mentor, reflecting together on what restoring land, life and hope truly means for pastoralist communities.

This exchange reminded us that global solutions are strengthened when we listen directly to communities and learn from the people whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected to the land.

Our sincere appreciation to Drynet and its partners for creating such an inclusive learning experience and for connecting us directly with Mongolia’s nomadic pastoralist communities.

🌿 Different landscapes. Shared values. One connection to the land.


FSC Indigenous Foundation Cultural Survival Minority Rights Group UNESCO United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification HakiElimu FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT UN Climate Change UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples Tanzania Forest Services Agency

🐄🌍 LAND. RANGELANDS. PASTORALISTS.Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and directly support the l...
23/08/2026

🐄🌍 LAND. RANGELANDS. PASTORALISTS.

Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and directly support the livelihoods of around 500 million people.

Yet these ecosystems face increasing pressure from degradation, drought and climate change.

COP17 is particularly important because 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

A dedicated Land and People Day will focus on rangelands, pastoralist well-being, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, land rights and inclusive land governance.

For IWDA, this is a critical opportunity to ensure that the voices, knowledge and priorities of pastoralist communities are part of global land policy discussions.

Protect the land. Protect the livelihoods. Protect the future.

Cultural Survival Minority Rights Group FSC Indigenous Foundation UNESCO United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT Tanzania Forest Services Agency UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples UN Climate Change

🌍✊🏾 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DEMAND FULL AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION AT UNCCD COP17Today, Indigenous Peoples attending UNCCD ...
20/08/2026

🌍✊🏾 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DEMAND FULL AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION AT UNCCD COP17

Today, Indigenous Peoples attending UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia came together in a peaceful demonstration in front of the conference venue to call for stronger and more meaningful participation within the UNCCD process.

The key demands were clear:

📢 An Indigenous Peoples Caucus within the UNCCD
🤝 Full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and Civil Society Organizations
🌿 Recognition of Indigenous Peoples as rights holders and key partners in sustainable land management and restoration

Indigenous Women Development Affairs (IWDA) stood in solidarity with Indigenous representatives from around the world, representing the voices and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples from Tanzania.

Decisions about land, drought, restoration and environmental sustainability cannot be made without the meaningful participation of the people and communities who live on, depend on and care for these lands.

Nothing about us, without us.

Indigenous Peoples must have their own space, voice and representation within global processes that shape the future of our lands and communities.

✊🏾 Full participation. Meaningful representation. Indigenous voices at the decision-making table.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification G20 Global Land Initiative FSC Indigenous Foundation Cultural Survival UNESCO FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples UN Climate Change

🌍 World Humanitarian Day 2026Honouring Indigenous Humanitarian Defenders. Protecting Humanity.Today, on World Humanitari...
19/08/2026

🌍 World Humanitarian Day 2026

Honouring Indigenous Humanitarian Defenders. Protecting Humanity.

Today, on World Humanitarian Day, Indigenous Women Development Affairs (IWDA) stands in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, humanitarian workers, human rights defenders, community volunteers, health workers, and all those risking their lives to protect communities affected by conflict, climate disasters, displacement, and humanitarian emergencies.

Across the world, millions of Indigenous Peoples continue to face forced displacement, violence, environmental destruction, drought, floods, food insecurity, and the loss of their ancestral lands. Too often, Indigenous communities are on the frontlines of humanitarian crises because their territories are rich in natural resources and increasingly affected by conflict, exploitation, and climate change.

We honour the courage of Indigenous women and community leaders who continue protecting lives, preserving cultures, providing humanitarian support, defending human rights, and building resilience in the face of adversity.

At IWDA, we believe that humanitarian action must go beyond emergency response. It must protect Indigenous rights, safeguard ancestral lands, respect self-determination, and recognize Indigenous knowledge as essential for peace, resilience, and sustainable recovery.

Humanity means protecting people. Protecting land. Protecting dignity.

On this World Humanitarian Day, we call for:

Protection of Indigenous communities from violence and displacement.
Respect for humanitarian and human rights workers serving vulnerable communities.
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights, knowledge, and leadership in humanitarian and climate responses.
Lasting peace built on justice, dignity, and self-determination.

Together, let us stand for a future where every Indigenous community lives in safety, dignity, and peace.

🌿 WHY ARE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IMPORTANT AT COP17?Indigenous Peoples have generations of knowledge about their lands, ecos...
19/08/2026

🌿 WHY ARE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IMPORTANT AT COP17?

Indigenous Peoples have generations of knowledge about their lands, ecosystems, water, livestock, forests and changing environmental conditions.

This knowledge can contribute to:

🌱 Sustainable land management
🐄 Rangeland restoration
💧 Drought resilience
🌳 Ecosystem protection
🌍 Climate adaptation
🤝 Community-led conservation

UNCCD COP17 includes dedicated discussions on Indigenous Peoples, local communities, rangelands and pastoralists. The official programme specifically recognizes the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and rights into land governance and land degradation neutrality strategies.

At IWDA, we believe:

Indigenous communities should not simply be consulted about solutions. They should help lead them.

Minority Rights Group FSC Indigenous Foundation Cultural Survival UNESCO United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification FIMI Environmental Governance Action Tanzania EGAT Tanzania Forest Services Agency

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