A/HRC/4/104 page 15 36. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples conducted country visits to New Zealand and South Africa in 2005. In the context of these visits, the Special Rapporteur has held specific meetings with indigenous women to gain a concrete view of their specific concerns and issues. In his report of his mission to New Zealand (E/CN.4/2006/78/Add.3), the Special Rapporteur noted that across a range of indicators, Maori women still experience poorer economic, health and social outcomes than other New Zealand women. For example, the rates of employment and participation in paid work for Maori women are still lower than those for Maori men and non-Maori; Maori women are still twice as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as non-Maori women and they continue to have a higher infant mortality rate compared to the total population. Further, approximately 45-50 per cent of battered women using Women’s Refuge Services are Maori. Where women are at risk, their children may also be at risk. Maori youth have higher rates of suicide than similar non-Maori age groups, a situation that may reflect higher family dysfunctions and social disorganization associated with a history of discrimination. In his report of his mission to South Africa (E/CN.4/2006/78/Add.2), the Special Rapporteur noted that special mention must be made of the specific grievances of indigenous children, youth and women, who reported discrimination, violence, drug abuse, high suicide rates, prostitution, alcoholism and other syndromes associated with marginalization and poverty. Of major concern to San and Khoe women is the unacceptably high level of domestic violence. Violence in some communities is so extreme that it includes murders and assaults with weapons and is often associated with alcohol abuse and low self-esteem by men and women. Indigenous women in South Africa, in particular indigenous rural women, are systematically excluded on matters of land reform policy and on discussions regarding solutions to their problems. In September 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated in an open forum on the implementation of the recommendations of his visit to Canada. In October 2006, the Special Rapporteur participated in a parallel event in the General Assembly concerning the launching of a report on violence against indigenous women by an international non-governmental organization (NGO). 37. The independent expert on minority issues notes that new and urgent attention must be given to the rights of women facing multiple forms of discrimination, exclusion and violence. Amongst the most disadvantaged and vulnerable are women from minority communities who face problems both because they belong to certain minority communities and because they are women. On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2006, she called for all actors at the community, national and international levels to rise to the challenge of improving the security, opportunities and life chances of such women. She also called for action to protect and promote the rights of those women whose lives have become defined by discrimination, exploitation and violence, and whose voices have been silenced by patriarchal ideologies and the fear of speaking out. She noted that women from minority groups “often fight the patriarchy within their communities along with the patriarchy and racism of the larger community”. Harmful cultural, religious or traditional practices which affect minority women need to be addressed. Further, poverty and conflict deeply impact on minorities and create conditions in which minority women are further disempowered. Pointing to Roma women, Afro-descendants and women affected by caste discrimination, she noted that the “hidden victims” of discrimination “are often the most disadvantaged from birth until death”. She stressed the need for research and analysis to expose the reality of situations facing minority women and action which reaches into communities themselves as well as addressing discrimination manifested in larger society. The independent expert has noted that education is key to improving the situation of minority women.