Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator Cash, I table a ministerial statement on the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The statement read as follows—

Statement by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women,

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash

59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

14 May 2015

It was my privilege to lead the Australian Government delegation to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (the Commission) from 9-12 March 2015. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the signing of the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing Declaration).

The Australian Government delegation included Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and two representatives from civil society.

The 59th Session of the Commission presented the unique opportunity to reflect upon the progress made in the two decades since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and recognise just how important it is that we continue our efforts to realise gender equality in Australia and around the world.

In the context of current international concerns, the Commission also presented a timely reminder that our work is far from finished.

Women and girls continue to be kidnaped, raped and tortured in conflict situations.

One in three women around the world is still subjected to physical violence and abuse.

These insidious truths cannot be tolerated in the 21st Century and demand our national attention, as well as solidarity between members of the international community.

As a nation, Australia has influence in the global fight for gender equality and we are unwavering in our commitment to the empowerment of women and girls.

As head of the delegation, I delivered Australia's national statement reinforcing our commitment to the Beijing Declaration. In addressing the Commission, I reflected upon the progress made, as well as the challenges remaining, in implementing the agreement in our own backyard, in the Asia-Pacific and across all nations.

Globally, we are at a critical moment in the formation of the post-2015 development agenda. In addressing the Commission, I advocated for the adoption of a stand-alone sustainable development goal on gender with a view to achieving transformative change.

My statement also highlighted the barriers which remain in addressing the 12 Critical Areas of Concern for achieving gender equality identified in the Beijing Declaration. Violence against women and girls continues to be a pervasive social scourge from which no nation is immune. Australia works in close cooperation with our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region on this important issue. On a national level, Australia has taken important steps to address gendered violence, including:

National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children2010-2022

Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy

I again expressed Australia's commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls in the form of harmful traditional, cultural and religious practices. We have joined an international movement of States calling to end such practices, including the intolerable practice of Female Genital Mutilation.

Whilst at the Commission, I took the opportunity to draw attention to recent national achievements targeted at improving gender equality. I highlighted the Government's commitment to encouraging women's workforce participation and the recent agreement of G20 Member States to increase the number of women in the workforce by 25 per cent by 2025.

I also reiterated Australia's strong working relationship with civil society, noting that a strong civil society presence at international forums is vital to its decision-making and to ensuring that gender equality and women's advancement remains at the forefront of international policy discussions.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, it is important to acknowledge the bitter disappointment felt by many around the world that we are still trying to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Enough is enough.

Until discrimination, gendered violence and inequality truly become the relics of history, Australia will continue to campaign at the forefront of the global fight for gender equality.