About Us
The African Indigenous Women’s Organization is a continental-wide Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), whose members are composed of African Indigenous Women representing NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other grass-root organizations (who undertake social and economic activities for their own gain). We work towards the promotion of women’s and indigenous peoples rights which include social, economic and political empowerment in Africa.
African Indigenous Women’s Organization (AIWO) was formed on 24th April, 1998 in Agadir, Morocco. This was after the first African Indigenous Conference held on 20th to 24th April the same year. The conference was initiated by Netherlands Center for Indigenous Peoples and hosted by Tamaynut of Morocco. The theme of the conference was to “Clarify the role of Indigenous Women in Africa as supporters of the Community and to strengthen the Indigenous Cultures and traditions persistence”.
Our Activities
AIWO works directly with indigenous groups from rural areas to address issues in the following areas:
Our Major Programs
- Environmental conservation
- Reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS
- women’s rights and gender mainstreaming
- Education
- Women Economic empowerment
- Influence policy change
- Cultural preservation
Our Vision
Improvement and empowerment of African Indigenous Women’s livelihood
Our Mission
Enhancing and strengthening the capacity of African Indigenous Women through participation, social, economic, political empowerment as well as protection of their rights
Highlights
Recognition Certificate Award
Certificate of Recognition Awarded by United Nations Human Rights Prize
Participation at COP 28
Indigenous women from Africa attended COP 28 and they were able to attend other meetings organized by Indigenous women from other socialcultural regions
GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE TRɄA SUMMIT
Read the general report of the World summit on Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity which was held in Bogota Colombia ahead of COP 16