Conventions including the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No.156) which is intended to “promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment for workers with family responsibilities, and among workers with such responsibilities.” 21 3.2.2. Housing
“Now I understand what you’re saying in terms of looking at housing as a key factor that affects the development of children and youth… I always insist that people try to overcome the western European approach of categorizing and individualizing various areas of social existence… I have to remind people that our traditional approach to our existence has been based on recognition that everything is related and inter-related… In that context, then,… I think we have to take the approach that housing is one of the key and basic essentials of life.” 23 The connection to the rights to land and housing is pivotal to understand when exploring the living conditions and quality of life of indigenous peoples across different geographical regions. Moreover, it is crucial that adequate housing and living conditions are considered as a basic human right for all. Thus, “at first glance, it might seem unusual to address housing as a basic human right. Insecure and inadequate shelter, however, threatens physical and mental health and the overall quality of life. In other words, human dignity.” 24 Much of the literature that examines the housing conditions of indigenous peoples shares the belief that “the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their lands had a ripple effect and resulted in inadequate housing conditions for indigenous peoples.”25 This connection between the land and the well-being of the indigenous person is important to understand as land often symbolises the spiritual and psychological ties of indigenous peoples to their cultures and their traditions. As such, land loss and eviction is not only a socio-economic liability but a severing of spiritual, cultural and socio-economic empowerment. Migrating to the urban centre can also be challenging, particularly when indigenous cultures, traditions and identities are discounted or compromised. Even more so given that the troubling conditions they thought they had left behind have transferred to the cities. In recognition of the multiple factors that contribute to the well-being and livelihood of indigenous peoples, including those of marginalised groups such as women, youth and the disabled, housing policies need to be holistic in their approach. According to UN-HABITAT (2006), “The year 2007 will also see the number of slum dwellers in the world cross the one billion mark – when one in every three city residents will live in inadequate housing with no or few basic services.” 26 What underscores this reality, particularly for indigenous peoples, is the violation of their land rights, the Review of Policies, Programmes and Practices
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