Hon Louise Upston
Minister for Women
20 November 2015

Submissions open for United Nations report

Minister for Women Louise Upston welcomes public consultation on a draft report for the United Nations outlining New Zealand’s efforts to eliminate discrimination against women.

“This report represents our commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a core international human rights treaty,” Ms Upston says.

The Government has made steady progress in improving outcomes for women and building on the fundamental guarantees provided by CEDAW.

“New Zealand women do well on a number of economic indicators, with high participation and completion rates in tertiary education, and high workforce participation and employment rates,” says Ms Upston.

However, Ms Upston says there is no room for complacency.

“Until women have equal rights, equal choice, equal opportunities, equal expectations and are valued equally there is more work to be done.”

“I look forward to receiving a diverse range of perspectives to inform New Zealand’s report.”

The Government is seeking public feedback on its draft report before a final version is submitted to the United Nations in June 2016.

The draft report and information on the submission process is available atwww.women.govt.nz. Submissions close Sunday 31 January 2016.

ENDS

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