All parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (the Convention) are required to periodically report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (the Committee) on their respective implementation of obligations under the Convention and progress toward eliminating discrimination against women.
Australia’s ninth periodic CEDAW report is due in 2024 and will respond to Australia’s work across 25 specific questions directly related to women’s rights issues in Australia, and associated obligations under the Convention. This process, defined by the Committee, is a targeted alternative to member states reporting on each separate article in the Convention.
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 is inviting individuals, civil society organisations and women’s rights experts to provide feedback on the draft periodic report thought the public consultation process – open from Thursday 5 September to Thursday 26 September 2024. A summary of feedback shared through public consultation will be de-identified and submitted to the Committee as an appendix to Australia’s final periodic report.