On 7 June 2024, Ms Stott Despoja was re-elected for the 2025-2028 term in a vote at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Gender equality is at the centre of all Australian Government policy decisions at home, in our region and around the globe, and Australia is committed to being a global leader in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Natasha Stott Despoja AO speaking about her first term on the CEDAW and her priorities for the 2025–2028 term.
Ms Stott Despoja is a fierce advocate for the progression of women’s human rights and the advancement of women’s representation in decision-making institutions domestically and internationally.
- Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is an important and powerful tool to drive genuine progress for women worldwide. It ensures women's equal and meaningful access to political and public life, education, health and employment.
Ms Stott Despoja’s second term as a member of CEDAW builds on the Australian Government’s commitment to work collaboratively with states – both bilaterally and in multilateral fora – to secure fundamental human rights for women and girls.
Biography
Ms Stott Despoja has been a member of the CEDAW Committee since 2021 and is an experienced and trusted voice for gender equality.
Before joining the CEDAW Committee, Ms Stott Despoja was the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls. As Ambassador, she progressed Australia’s international gender equality agenda through advocacy, public diplomacy and outreach.
Ms Stott Despoja was founding Chair and is now Patron of Our Watch – Australia’s national foundation to prevent violence against women and children – and oversaw the development of Australia’s first national framework for the prevention of violence against women. She is also the author of the book ‘On Violence’, highlighting the endemic of violence against women.
Ms Stott Despoja also served on a range of gender-focussed multilateral and regional meetings including as a member of the United Nations High Level Working Group on the Health and Human Rights of Women, Children and Adolescents; and on the World Bank Gender Advisory Council.
At age 26, Ms Stott Despoja was the youngest woman to enter the Federal Parliament in Australia. She is passionate about the representation of women in politics, leadership and decision-making at a domestic and international level. This has informed her role as Deputy Chair on the General Recommendation 40 Working Group (PDF 250 KB).
Ms Stott Despoja is among the world’s most influential women’s human rights experts. The Australian Government is proud to endorse her candidacy for re-election to the CEDAW Committee for 2025-28.