[Greens-Media] Time to sign CEDAW as Australian women Reclaim the Night

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Friday 31 October 2008

Time to sign CEDAW as Australian women Reclaim the Night

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has today, on the 30th anniversary of
the annual Reclaim the Night campaign in Australia, called on the
Federal Government to sign a key international agreement to protect
women's rights.

Australia is yet to sign the Optional Protocol to the United Nations'
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (or CEDAW). The Optional Protocol would allow Australians to make
complaints to the United Nations on matters of gender equality and
women's rights if all domestic efforts are fruitless.

"Reclaim the Night was established to highlight every woman's basic
human right to live in freedom from discrimination and fear of
violence," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"Yet more than two-thirds of women experience some form of physical or
sexual violence in their lives.

"There should be no two ways about signing this Optional Protocol.

"I urge the Rudd Government to act on the positive indications it has
already given on this, and fast-track any plans it may have to making
Australia a signatory to CEDAW.

"Women's rights are human rights and Australia should be leading the
global community in recognising and protecting those rights."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760