YWCA NSW

Yoga and Breast Cancer Workshop

YWCA NSW celebrates International Youth Day on August 12th

Click here to listen to Heidi's interview with ABC's Radio National on Thursday 12th August - International Youth Day

Caroline Lambert's CEDAW Blog

For the past two years, YWCA Australia has been working with colleagues in the NGO and women's sectors to prepare NGO Reports on Australia's implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Two reports have been produced: the Abororiginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Report and the NGO Report.

On Tuesday next week the Australian Government will meet with the CEDAW Committee to present their four-year report on women's human rights in Australia. The Australian NGO Delegation is presenting their reports to the CEDAW Committee on Monday, along with a special lunchtime briefing with the CEDAW Committee Members.

The CEDAW Committee reviews one country a day. What happens is the Government has 30 minutes to give a statement, outlining their achievements (and theoretically the ongoing challenges they face). The CEDAW Committee Members then ask the Government representatives a series of questions - CEDAW article by CEDAW article - to paint a better picture on women's equality in their community. In total they spend three and a half hours in the question and answer session.

Yesterday the CEDAW Committee met with representatives of the Fiji Government. It was a very interesting session. The Minister for Social Affairs led the delegation. In addition to exploring the status of women in Fijian society, the CEDAW Committee was very interested to gain a stronger understanding of the civil and political rights situtation in Fiji - in particular the suspension of the Fijian Constitution and the delay in holding an election (now not scheduled to be held until 2014), and the impact of this on women's equality in Fiji. The CEDAW Committee welcomed the recognition of the Delegation that NGOs in Fiji were contributing to the work on women's equality in Fiji and also welcomed the assurances of the Delegation that NGOs who had prepared NGO Reports would be able to continue their work unhindered on their return to Fiji.

The CEDAW Committee asked very direct questions, and were also very direct in seeking clarification when they found the answers lacking. It was refreshing to witness such a strong dialogue - reaffirming the role of these independent expert committees.

You can read the UN press release, which provides a very detailed overview of the questions and answers, at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2010/wom1811.doc.htm

Today the Russian Government is being reviewed - they have a very large team and have just given their opening statement and are into the first round of questions. An update will be provided tomorrow.