A/HRC/42/55 • Anna Otke, member of the Federation Council, Russian Federation • Zakiyatou Oualette Halatine, former Minister of Tourism and Crafts, Mali • Joenia Wapichana, the first indigenous woman to be elected as a federal deputy in Brazil. 59. The panellists shared their personal stories and reflected on their journeys from their indigenous communities to their positions in public office, as well as their main motivations for entering politics and the challenges that they faced. Several panellists emphasized the compound discrimination they faced as women and as indigenous persons. They all expressed a motivation to represent their communities and fight for the promotion and respect of their rights, with many of them focusing on health, education, cultural rights, land rights and the rights of indigenous children and youth. 60. Following the opening statements, the moderator opened the floor for questions. Participants were unified in celebrating the achievements and positive contributions of the panellists, as well as the positive developments that had recently taken place in several regions, allowing indigenous women greater representation in positions of political power. The positive contributions indigenous women made to society through their particular perspective were also emphasized. Participants stressed the importance of engaging with indigenous women in public office, especially with respect to implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 61. Notwithstanding the progress for indigenous women in recent years, critical challenges for the effective realization of their rights remained in place. Prominent among these challenges was violence against women, experienced disproportionately by indigenous women around the world. Even women in positions of power, including parliamentarians, were subjected to offline and online violence and harassment, which in turn threatened democracy by discouraging the full participation and representation of women in political and civic life. Indigenous women were also more likely to experience discrimination, physical and sexual violence, and limitations within their homes and communities. Many indigenous women worldwide remained voiceless and vulnerable, both in the public and private spheres. Additional barriers included compound discrimination, gender inequality, lack of access to education and the socioeconomic imbalance between women and men. 62. The panel and participants made several recommendations regarding women in power. The full participation of women in leadership and decision-making was identified as a fundamental element of democratic societies that are genuinely inclusive, representative and sustainable. Participants and panellists also stressed the need to address violence against women globally and to support initiatives that aimed to prevent and counter such a pervasive issue. Enabling access to education and health services, including sexual and reproductive health, was also considered fundamental in giving women more dignified conditions in life and empowering them to make their own decisions freely. The protection of the rights of indigenous women played a key role in manifesting the rights of indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making in matters that affected them. Not only States but also indigenous peoples themselves played a key role in ensuring the full and equal participation of all women and girls. X. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the study on recognition, reparation and reconciliation 63. On opening agenda item 8, Ms. Yamada, stated that the Expert Mechanism looked forward to receiving the views of indigenous peoples, States and United Nations mechanisms and agencies on the report on recognition, reparation, and reconciliation, focusing on initiatives undertaken since the adoption of the Declaration in 2007 (A/HRC/EMRIP/2019/3). She welcomed the recommendations of indigenous peoples and other stakeholders as essential to completing the report. 12