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November 25th is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Indigenous women face disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination due to their intersecting identities (woman and Indigenous) which have both been historically marginalized in society. Nepali activists explain their work to end violence against women in their country, and lay out next steps for continuing the work of women's liberation around the world.

INTERVIEWEES
Yasso Kanti Bhattachan, Indigenous Women’s Federation of Nepal
Chanda Thapa Magar, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

Pratima Gurung, is the Secretary General of the Indigenous Person with Disabilities Global Network (IPWDGN) and National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN). She believes that indigenous people with disabilities are affected disproportionately by climate change, but their voices are not being heard in the important negotiations that will shape our future. She thinks that there should be a formal recognition of their issues and dedicated constituencies within these discussions.

Tunga Rai emphasizes the importance of Indigenous voices being included in discussions that concern their communities. The call for inclusion is echoed through the phrase "Nothing about us without us".  True progress can only be made when Indigenous voices are present at the table.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Tunga Rai (Rai)
"LIBRES Y VIVAS " by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

Fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources release many greenhouse gases that harm the environment. For this reason, there is global talk of the need for a transition towards the use of cleaner energy sources and the development of technologies such as battery storage systems, and other cleaner sources of energy. However, for the creation of these energy sources, so-called “transition minerals” are necessary, the extraction of which increases the danger of new displacements and the dispossession of territories from Indigenous Peoples.

Fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources release many greenhouse gases that harm the environment. For this reason, there is global talk of the need for a transition towards the use of cleaner energy sources and the development of technologies such as battery storage systems, and other cleaner sources of energy. However, for the creation of these energy sources, so-called “transition minerals” are necessary, the extraction of which increases the danger of new displacements and the dispossession of territories from Indigenous Peoples.

Fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources release many greenhouse gases that harm the environment. For this reason, there is global talk of the need for a transition towards the use of cleaner energy sources and the development of technologies such as battery storage systems, and other cleaner sources of energy. However, for the creation of these energy sources, so-called “transition minerals” are necessary, the extraction of which increases the danger of new displacements and the dispossession of territories from Indigenous Peoples.

Fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources release many greenhouse gases that harm the environment. For this reason, there is global talk of the need for a transition towards the use of cleaner energy sources and the development of technologies such as battery storage systems, and other cleaner sources of energy. However, for the creation of these energy sources, so-called “transition minerals” are necessary, the extraction of which increases the danger of new displacements and the dispossession of territories from Indigenous Peoples.

Fossil fuels and other conventional energy sources release many greenhouse gases that harm the environment. For this reason, there is global talk of the need for a transition towards the use of cleaner energy sources and the development of technologies such as battery storage systems, and other cleaner sources of energy. However, for the creation of these energy sources, so-called “transition minerals” are necessary, the extraction of which increases the danger of new displacements and the dispossession of territories from Indigenous Peoples.

Radio has been over for over a century and it is still relevant today, probably more than it has ever been. Let us look at some of the reasons why: Radios are portable, unlike television. Radios are cheaper as compared to television sets. Indigenous peoples use radio as a means of communication, especially in remote areas.

Voices: Gwani Adamu Umar (Fulani), Lidia Joshua (Bachama), M.A Ubayo Waja (Fulani)

Moshe Mughando (San)

Mina Gurung (Gurung)

Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)

In this series of podcasts,Inclusive Media Foundation, Newa FM and Likhu FM takes a look at how the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal struggle to maintain ownership of their ancestral lands, in areas where there are rivers like the Likhu River.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

In this Sunuwar language podcast, Inclusive Media Foundation, Newa FM, and Likhu FM take a look at how the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal struggle to maintain ownership of their ancestral lands since the construction of Hydropower plants in their ancestral areas is the cause of much anguish.

"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Samadh Radio in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of India and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals
Producer: Kumar Prasad Tamang, Tanka Raj Sunuwar, Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu), Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu)
Interview: Jayaraj Ghimire and Harichan Chhantyal, Dil Bahadur Thapa and Shova Sunuwar,
Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Samadh Radio in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of India and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals
Producer: Kumar Prasad Tamang, Tanka Raj Sunuwar, Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu), Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu)
Interview: Jayaraj Ghimire and Harichan Chhantyal, Dil Bahadur Thapa and Shova Sunuwar,
Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Samadh Radio in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of India and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals
Producer: Kumar Prasad Tamang, Tanka Raj Sunuwar, Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu), Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu)
Interview: Jayaraj Ghimire and Harichan Chhantyal, Dil Bahadur Thapa and Shova Sunuwar,
Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Samadh Radio in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of India and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals
Producer: Kumar Prasad Tamang, Tanka Raj Sunuwar, Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu), Sarala Chaudhary (Tharu)
Interview: Jayaraj Ghimire and Harichan Chhantyal, Dil Bahadur Thapa and Shova Sunuwar,
Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Radio Muktinath in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals.
Produced by: Anajana Rai, Chumolungma Tamang and Dhana Bahadur Magar. Interviewees: RK Tamang and Ram Chandra Magar, Barsaman Pun and Tahal Thami. Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission. "Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced Radio Muktinath in Nepal and discusses matters Indigenous Peoples of Nepal and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals Produced by: Anajana Rai, Chumolungma Tamang and Dhana Bahadur Magar. Interviewees: RK Tamang and Ram Chandra Magar, Barsaman Pun and Tahal Thami. Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission. "Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Radio Muktinath in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals.
Produced by: Anajana Rai, Chumolungma Tamang and Dhana Bahadur Magar. Interviewees: RK Tamang and Ram Chandra Magar, Barsaman Pun and Tahal Thami. Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission. "Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

This series of radio programs is produced by Radio Muktinath in Nepal and discusses matters pertaining to the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal and their mining rights when it comes to Transition Minerals.
Produced by: Anajana Rai, Chumolungma Tamang and Dhana Bahadur Magar. Interviewees: RK Tamang and Ram Chandra Magar, Barsaman Pun and Tahal Thami. Music: “Whispers” by Ziibiwan, used with permission. "Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed annually on October 17. This day seeks to promote understanding and dialogue between individuals experiencing poverty and the wider community. In this radio program, we will hear from Diana Pastor (Maya Ki'che) and Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar), who will discuss the effects of poverty on Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and Nepal, respectively.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Voices: Diana Pastor (Maya K'iche) and Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)

Violence against Indigenous women is a pervasive and multifaceted issue that includes physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, often rooted in the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, racism, and systemic inequality. Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of violence, including intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and murder, frequently exacerbated by the lack of access to justice and inadequate responses from law enforcement.

Bonded labor, also known as debt bondage, remains a widespread form of modern slavery in parts of Asia, particularly in countries like India and Bangladesh. It typically occurs when individuals are forced to work to repay a debt under exploitative conditions, often with little or no wages and no clear end to their obligation. Entire families, including children, can be trapped in cycles of debt for generations, working in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and mining. Despite legal bans in many countries, weak enforcement and poverty continue to fuel this human rights violation.

Limbu

Dev Kumar, from Nepal, explains why the radio is a powerful tool for Indigenous Peoples to have their voices be heard.

Produced by Cultural Survival with facilitation of Community Empowerment and Social Justice (CEmSoJ) Foundation and Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (FONIJ).

Translation by: Ganesh Man Gurung

Voices: Ganesh Man Gurung, Mina Gurung.