A new report from the United Nations is throwing some startling revelations on violence against Indigenous women and girls.
The inter-agency study looked at cases from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
It found that the forms and nature of violence against indigenous women and girls can actually be shaped by the types of discrimination they face.
Ethnicity, geographic location and age are just some of the examples given.
A girl’s access to social services, dispossession from ancestral lands and marginalization can also increase their vulnerability while limiting their ability to seek protection.
Looking into the future the study says indigenous girls and women have played a critical role in challenging oppressive social and cultural norms.
It says a coordinated approach is needed from governments to ensure women everywhere live free from violence.
The report can be found at http://www.unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Violence-against-indigenous-women-and-girls.pdf