The International Rights of Indigenous Women, Their Reflections in Brazilian Legislation, and Public Policies for Education and Higher Education

Abstract

For centuries, Indigenous peoples were placed under state guardianship, considered legally incapable, and excluded from full citizenship. Despite this, they resisted and struggled for recognition and rights. More recently, with the support of civil society organizations, important advances have been achieved, particularly those reflected in the 1988 Brazilian Federal Constitution. In recent years, the emergence of organizations specifically focused on Indigenous women has also been observed, bringing gender issues into the debate. In Brazil, during the first decade of the twenty-first century, policies directed toward Indigenous women began to gain greater strength through the creation and consolidation of their own organizations. In 2017, the first Indigenous Women’s March took place in the country, increasing the visibility of the conditions in which Indigenous women live, as well as the exclusion and threats they face. Based on documentary and bibliographic research, this paper discusses aspects related to the Indigenous women’s movement in Brazil, the international rights historically incorporated into the Brazilian legal framework, and public policies in the country, with particular emphasis on access to and training in higher education