27 July 2008
Today is the 25th Anniversary of a landmark occasion for Australian women
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, drew attention to the achievements of Australian women and Australian governments today, the 25th anniversary of Australia’s ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“It is a tribute to the efforts and vigilance of Australian women over the last 50 years, that we enjoy the level of equality and the human rights that we do in this country on this landmark day, the 25th anniversary of our ratification of CEDAW,” said Commissioner Broderick. “Yet there is still much to achieve.”
CEDAW, which is often described as an international bill of rights for women, was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly. It defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for international action to end this discrimination. It is also one of the most ratified human rights conventions in the world.
“I am particularly encouraged by the process under way at present by the federal government to sign the Optional Protocol to CEDAW,” said Commissioner Broderick. “Signing the Optional Protocol will enable Australian women to make a complaint to the United Nations, if Australia violates its obligations under CEDAW, and the person has exhausted all available domestic remedies.”
However, Ms Broderick took the opportunity to reinforce her concern that Australia still retains its reservation under CEDAW regarding the right of working women to access paid maternity leave.
When Australia ratified CEDAW in 1983, the Government expressly refused to agree to provide paid maternity leave for Australian women and introduced a reservation that ensured it would not be bound by the right to paid maternity leave - article 11(2)(b).
“I cannot emphasise often enough that paid maternity leave is a basic human right for working women.”
Commissioner Broderick also expressed her congratulations and admiration to all Australian Attorneys-General for their recent decision to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and send the message to all Australians that there is no excuse for violence against women. She said this was another example of the Government’s commitment to human rights for women.
Media contact: Patrick Flynn 0419 258 597
