Mujeres Indígenas, Conocimientos y Derechos Intelectuales

Abstract

This article explores the theoretical common points between indigenous women, knowledge and intellectual rights. For that purpose, we differentiate the indigenous knowledge from other types of existent knowledge, locating their peculiarity in the symbolic-territorial environment. We argue that differences exist among the knowledge that men and indigenous women hold as a consequence of the opportunities, responsibilities and resources that each gender assumes according to its location in the sexual division of work. We expose the current situation of knowledge in the international arena- especially in relation to the international doctrine of human rights and in relation to their ubiquity in the commercial background - and we conclude that still we have to go a long way to fully recognize a gender and ethnic perspective regarding entitlement and enjoyment of rights.