CEDAW enshrines general rights that belong to all women around the world. Every day, we can all work towards raising awareness and enforcing those rights, whether through individual action or together with others.
Shadow reporting
Contribute to the community shadow reporting process by emailing cedaw@ywca.org.au. Individual NGOs can also submit reports to the CEDAW Committee before or at the session where the report is being examined. For more information go to the Committee’s website: www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/
Lobbying
Visit or write a letter to your Member of Parliament, relevant government Ministers, the Prime Minister, and opposition spokespeople, about the importance of human rights issues and equality between women and men.
Politics and public life
Support women who support women’s human rights by nominating and voting for them in any election, whether it is for local council or for a federal seat; or nominate yourself.
Join organisations that support women candidates and lobby government on women-friendly policies and legislation.
Support promotion of women in organisations with high public profiles, such as the government, business, unions, the legal system and judiciary. Monitor how many women are in high decision-making roles in these organisations and lobby for more effective strategies that allow women to take these positions.
Laws and policy
You and your organisation can raise awareness among your peers and members, or women in your local community. It is important to talk about how to protect women’s rights and ensure legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act and other anti-discrimination laws in your state or territory can evolve to reflect the realities of women’s lives.
Use this kit to enhance any specific campaigns you are involved in, for example, to eliminate sexual harassment or violence against women.
Raise awareness about women’s rights in your school, university, or college or at your workplace. Use this kit to run workshops and/or organise campaigns with businesses, local councils, and community and church groups.
You can also use this kit to take part in consultations or conversations about human rights and highlight the rights of women. You can learn more about the way the CEDAW Committee has interpreted and developed the rights in CEDAW by reading the Committee’s General Comments and country recommendations. Many of these might also apply to campaigns you are already involved in. You can read these CEDAW documents by going to the UN website (www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/recommendations/recomm.htm).