State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Chapter One Access to Health Services by Indigenous Peoples in the African Region Dr. Priscilla Santau Migiro7 Introduction Definition of indigenous peoples in the African region A strict definition of indigenous peoples is neither necessary nor desirable. It is much more relevant and constructive to try to outline the major characteristics, which can help us identify who are the indigenous peoples and communities of Africa. The approach that has been advocated by the African Commission’s Working Group of Experts on Indigenous Populations/Communities includes the following overall characteristics of groups identifying themselves as indigenous peoples: ɜɜ Their cultures and ways of life differ considerably from the dominant society; ɜɜ Their cultures are under threat, in some cases to the extent of extinction; ɜɜ T he survival of their particular way of life depends on access and rights to their traditional lands, territories and natural resources; ɜɜ T hey suffer from discrimination as they are regarded as less developed and less advanced than the more dominant sectors of society; ɜɜ T hey often live in inaccessible regions, often geographically isolated and suffer from various forms of marginalization, both politically and socially. ɜɜ T hey are subject to domination and exploitation within the national political and economic structures that are commonly designed to reflect the interests and activities of the national majority.
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Dr. Migiro is a Masaai woman from Kenya. She received her undergraduate degree in medicine and postgraduate qualifications in Paediatrics and Child Health from the University of Nairobi. She has worked in various capacities in the Ministry of Health and in private health sector. Since 2004, Dr. Migiro has worked in the ministry’s headquarters where she worked her way to become the Head of the Division of Child and Adolescent Health, where she has been involved in development of policies, strategies and guidelines in child survival and development. Since June 2012, Dr. Migiro has worked in the Department of Health Promotion involved in development of policies, strategies and guidelines of health promotion.
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