The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (the Committee) is a body of 23 independent experts on women’s rights from around the world, who monitor the progress of UN member states’ efforts to eliminate discrimination against women. Natasha Stott Despoja AO was re-elected to the Committee in June 2024 as an independent member. When first elected in 2020, Ms Stott Despoja was the first Australian to have served on the Committee in almost thirty years, following the Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC. Ms Stott Despoja is the only independent member serving on the Committee from the Oceania region.
Ms Stott Despoja's nomination and election to the Committee was supported by the Australian Government.
Australia’s ninth periodic report to the Committee
All parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (the Convention) are required to periodically report to the Committee on their respective implementation of obligations under the Convention and progress toward eliminating discrimination against women.
Following submission of the periodic report, Australia will be invited to appear before the Committee to speak to the report and respond to any further questions. The Committee will then issue concluding observations on Australia’s implementation of, and reporting on, progress under the Convention. Australia’s ninth periodic report and the Committee’s concluding observations will be published on the CEDAW website.
Australia’s ninth periodic report is due in 2024 and will respond to Australia’s work across 25 specific themes as defined by the Committee. The list of 25 issues/questions for response are directly related to women’s rights issues in Australia and associated obligations under the Convention. The list of issues process is a targeted alternative to member states reporting on each separate article in the Convention.
In addition and as part of our long-standing commitment to transparency, the Australian Government supports a ‘shadow report’ on the Convention from independent civil society organisations about their views on Australia’s implementation of Convention commitments.
Have your say
The Office for Women invites you to provide feedback on the draft of Australia’s ninth periodic report
Consultation is now open and will close 26 September 2024. A summary of feedback shared through the public consultation process will be de-identified and submitted to the Committee as an appendix to Australia’s final periodic report.
Submitting your feedback
To submit feedback on the draft of Australia’s ninth periodic report please respond to the relevant question in the submission form following. The questions to be completed in the form following directly correspond to the draft of Australia’s ninth periodic report and to the questions provided to Australia by the Committee. Each submission form question is limited to a 300 word response. You may provide overarching comments in the final submission form after question 25.
Seeking help
Please be aware that some themes discussed in the draft of Australia's ninth periodic report may be confronting to readers. Contact details for support services are provided below should you or someone you know need help.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.
Organisations that can help you with counselling, support and advice include:
1800RESPECT: a national family violence and sexual assault counselling service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s confidential and free to call. Call 1800 737 732 to speak with a professional counsellor or visit the 1800RESPECT website.
Kids Helpline: is a free service for young people aged 5 to 25. To contact them call 1800 551 800 at any time or go to the Kids Helpline website.
Lifeline: offers personal crisis support services if you’re affected by family and domestic violence. Call them on 131 114 at any time, or visit the Lifeline website for more information.
13YARN: provides crisis support 24/7 to yarn with you without judgement and provide a confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns. You will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where you are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.
Other services can be found on the Services Australia website.