The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has tabled its report titled ‘The pursuit of equality: Inquiry into the rights of women and children.’

Media release issue date: Thursday, 30 November 2023

The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has tabled its report titled ‘The pursuit of equality: Inquiry into the rights of women and children.’ The Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, stated, “Almost every witness and submitter to the inquiry noted that the rights of women and children were in decline globally.” “This regression of the rights of women and children has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the impacts of COVID-19, climate change, and conflict and instability. Growing inequality and resistance from some nation-states who are hostile to the international human rights agenda has further exacerbated the situation,” said Ms Vamvakinou. The report makes 10 recommendations aimed at strengthening and furthering measures to better support the rights of women and children globally, including: the creation of an international policy aimed specifically at children that is similar to the current gender strategy; the implementation of a suite of strategies designed to counteract orphanage trafficking and tourism; highlighting gender-based violence as a key strategic issue in the new International Gender Equality Strategy that is to be developed and implemented by the Australian Government; and improving legislative responses to the rights of victims of child exploitative material distributed online. The report is now available on the JSCFADT website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website.

Addressing human rights violations with practical and measurable solutions will be the focus of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) during its public hearing on Friday, 11 August 2023 in Australian Parliament House.

Media release issue date: Friday, 11 August 2023

Addressing human rights violations with practical and measurable solutions will be the focus of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) during its public hearing on Friday, 11 August 2023 in Australian Parliament House. The Subcommittee’s final hearing for the Inquiry into the Rights of Women and Children will discuss potential measures to improve the human rights of women and children globally with stakeholders such as non-government organisations and Australian Government agencies. The Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, Member for Calwell, stated that: “Throughout this inquiry, the Subcommittee has heard evidence about the types and scale of harm being perpetrated against women and children globally. Our final hearing will focus on how the Australian Government can make a practical and measurable difference to the lives of women and children. My fellow Subcommittee members and I look forward to discussing potential pathways forward with key stakeholders and experts.” The Subcommittee may accept submissions until the final report is tabled in the Parliament. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website. Hearing details Time:          1.30 pm to 5.00 pm (AEST) Venue:        Committee Room 2R1, Australian Parliament House, Canberra Witnesses: Save the Children                      Associate Professor Hannah McGlade                      Harmony Alliance (Social Policy Group)                      Australian Human Rights Commission                      Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will speak to key charitable and human rights organisations about trends in relation to human rights violations against women and children in a public hearing to be held in Melbourne CBD on Wednesday, 7 June 2023.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 6 June 2023

The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will speak to key charitable and human rights organisations about trends in relation to human rights violations against women and children in a public hearing to be held in Melbourne CBD on Wednesday, 7 June 2023. Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, Member for Calwell and Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, stated that: “The Subcommittee has heard evidence of a range of human rights abuses being perpetrated against women and children across the globe. This public hearing will focus on delving further into these issues, identifying the root causes of gendered violence, and considering how best to move forward in the pursuit of gender equality and protecting the rights of the child.” The Subcommittee will finalise its hearing program soon and move towards the preparation of its report. Submissions to the inquiry were due by Friday, 16 December 2022; however, late submissions may be considered. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website. Hearing details Time: 10.15 am to 4.45 pm (AEST) Venue: Seminar Room 2 & 3, Level 7, Monash Conference Centre, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Witnesses: Australian Red Cross Plan International Australia Uniting Church of Australia                        Iranian Women’s Association      CBM Australia & The Australian Disability and Development Consortium International Women’s Development Agency Monash University & Eleos Justice Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) Human Rights Subcommittee will hear from human rights advocates and women’s safety stakeholders in a public hearing to be held today in Camperdown, Sydney.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 April 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) Human Rights Subcommittee will hear from human rights advocates and women’s safety stakeholders in a public hearing to be held today in Camperdown, Sydney. Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP stated that: “We have recently heard evidence detailing the increase of human rights abuses of women and children in recent years, including the prevalence of acid attacks, rape as a weapon of war, and orphanage trafficking. After hearing from Government agencies recently, the Committee is eager to hear from those working in the sector to learn what they’re seeing and what can be done.’ The Subcommittee intends to hold additional hearings in coming months to support its work on the inquiry. Submissions to the inquiry were due by Friday, 16 December 2022; however, late submissions may be considered. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website. Hearing details Time: 9.15am to 1.15pm (AEDT) Venue: Auditorium, F23 Administration Building, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The prevalence and harm caused by acid attacks is to be discussed by the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) in a public hearing for the inquiry into the rights of women and children.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 22 November 2022

The prevalence and harm caused by acid attacks is to be discussed by the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) in a public hearing for the inquiry into the rights of women and children. The filmmakers of the award-winning documentary Geeta, including the subjects of the film, are to provide an insight into the lives of survivors and their campaign to prevent acid attacks. Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP stated that: “The story of Geeta and her daughter Neetu exemplifies the challenges and complexities involved in addressing gender-based violence. Acid attacks are a particularly horrific form of harm facing women and children today, and have long-term implications for women’s health, safety, and engagement in their communities. It is imperative for the Subcommittee to understand what drives this behaviour and what options are open to regulators in preventing acid attacks.” Submissions to the inquiry are being accepted, and are requested to be provided to the Subcommittee by Friday, 16 December 2022. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details in Canberra Time: 12.15 pm – 1.00 pm AEDT Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 humanrights.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The rights of women and children internationally will be investigated by the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 26 October 2022

The rights of women and children internationally will be investigated by the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT). Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP stated that: “I am eager to lead this timely inquiry that will focus on the human rights violations of women and children around the world. The committee’s inquiry will examine a range of relevant issues, including recent reports of sexual violence in war-affected areas and abuse experienced by migrant or refugee women and children. “Interested stakeholders are encouraged to make submissions aimed at understanding the treatment of women and children internationally and the impact of this treatment on their human rights, the adequacy of available support services for affected women and children, and the disproportionate impact on women’s education and social inclusion created by global disruptions.”. The Committee requests submissions addressing one or more of the terms of reference to this inquiry by Friday, 16 December 2022. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakiou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2205 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.