The Australian Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek and Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick were among guests present to affirm Australia's commitment, across all levels of government, to end discrimination against women.

Caroline Lambert, Executive Director of the YWCA of Australia was invited to address the reception and share news on their leading role in managing Australia’s CEDAW Shadow Report for Australian NGOs. “ This Shadow Report, which is being run by the YWCA on behalf of the four Alliances and a range of community organisations, is entirely supported by the Australian Government, and is welcome evidence of their commitment to a robust, resourced and lippy women’s sector,” said Lambert.

The YWCA of Australia has two staff members, Edwina MacDonald and Emily Chew who will meet with community organisations in every capital city and four regional centres in Australia to prepare the shadow report. “Once we have heard their views we will finalise two reports – one focused specifically on the issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and one which addresses the issues of all women in Australia,’ explained Lambert. ‘Our reports will focus on the positive measures introduced in the past four years as well as highlighting areas that continue to challenge us. The reports will also make recommendations to the CEDAW Committee – questions they might pose to the Australian Government during their “constructive dialogue” session and our recommendations for the Concluding Comments [the list of suggestions the CEDAW Committee make to the Australian Government on how they can better make CEDAW a reality in the lives of women in Australia].

Lambert stressed to guests the importance of CEDAW in changing the lives of women in Australia, calling the convention a ‘valuable tool for community change’. “In the last set of Concluding Comments there was a call for the Australian Government to do better at collecting disaggregated data which reflected the diversity of women in Australia. NGOs and the four Alliances have taken these recommendations in to their advocacy action plans – the YWCA Australia used the recommendations in their 'Enrol! and Vote! Campaign', which encouraged young women to cast an informed vote at the last election.

As the YWCA of Australia prepares to lead the Shadow Report for Australian NGOs, Lambert expressed their excitement in being involved in the CEDAW process. “CEDAW enables us to speak an international language of demand and accountability for gender equality that can, does and will create change in our local communities. And you never know, it might also create change in the minds of our current crop of nine-year-old girls who perhaps are beginning to imagine how they might become a female Prime Minister of Australia.”

Related Articles

• YWCA of Australia speak out on human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
• Visit the YWCA of Australia website