Indian women from across the Americas are meeting in Mexico to share experiences, set up information networks and hammer out strategies for defending their rights. Convened by the Rigoberta Menchú Foundation, the First Indigenous Women Summit of the Americas is meeting through Dec 4 to discuss a shared agenda for promoting the rights of the more than 50 million Indian women living in the Western Hemisphere.

The participants in the meeting are tackling issues related to indigenous and human rights, spirituality, education, culture, strengthening indigenous women's participation in political life, leadership and globalization.

Representatives from regional organizations like the Indigenous Initiative for Peace, Continental Connection of Indigenous Women and the International Indigenous Women's Forum have gathered in the southern city of Oaxaca for the Summit.