The most recent report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade was presented in the House this week.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 December 2021

The most recent report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade was presented in the House this week. The Committee has conducted a review of the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific, and made 14 recommendations. A key theme of the inquiry was that the underlying issues are interconnected and touch on all areas of society. Work to progress gender equality issues cannot be relegated to a small number of targeted areas. ‘The Committee acknowledges the considerable efforts of national governments in the Pacific nations. Our recommendations seek to build on the strength of their efforts and to propose means whereby Australia can further assist local efforts,' Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-committee, said. Another clear theme of the inquiry was support for local leadership, design and delivery of programs. Local faith-based groups, local NGOs, and local leaders are best placed to build and establish the institutions and infrastructure that lead to ongoing and sustained change. ‘Women and girls are continuing to shape their societies for the better,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘We trust that our recommendations will encourage their continuing commitment to supporting peaceful, resilient and happy communities throughout the Pacific.’ Further details about the about the inquiry can also be obtained from the committee’s website. A list of recommendations is also included with this release. Media enquiries Hon Kevin Andrews MP Chair, Human Rights Sub-committee, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Contact: Cristy Andrews (03) 9848 9900 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au List of recommendations – Human Rights of Women and Girls in the Pacific The Committee recommends that all support provided by the Australian Government to any organisation or bodies undertaking disaster management planning and response work include women representatives. To ensure that an understanding of women’s needs in local areas are taken into account, the Committee recommends that the Australian Government works with Pacific governments to build the capacity of local organisations in the Pacific to respond to natural disasters and ensure Pacific women are included in the delivery and evaluations of programs. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government works with Pacific governments to provide support for projects mapping the vulnerabilities experienced by women and girls in the region during disasters. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the tertiary education sector to maintain networks with alumni from Pacific island countries who have studied in Australia, including women and girls. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to focus diplomatic efforts on the implementation of treaties and other legislation aimed at improving the quality of life for women and girls, including political representation and involvement in decision-making. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to work with Pacific governments on public sector capacity-building work. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government publish an assessment of the progress on building the capacity of local organisations in the Pacific to advance the rights of women and girls. This should include data about what proportion of funding is provided to local organisations directly, and/or through intermediaries. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with Pacific governments to provide support for the secondary and tertiary education sector within Pacific island countries, including infrastructure for education institutions. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government extends the role of the multi-role vessel to include working in partnership with civil society to support the Pacific Islands. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government consider long-term funding cycles for official development assistance to be at least five-years. The Committee recommends the Australian Government extend its current five-year commitment to the Pacific Women Lead program to allow for funding cycles of this duration to be provided and to include a target for its gender expenditure. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government commit to continuing to undertake and publish strategic, thematic evaluations focusing on substantive human rights issues affecting women and girls. This should allow evaluations of the full range of official development assistance, and extend evaluations beyond those focused only at the investment or program-level. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government improve monitoring, evaluation and reporting of development assistance programs to ensure transparency and easy access to data, especially including reporting on funding for gender equality and women’s empowerment activities in the Pacific. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, on an annual basis, publish data on the disbursements made to organisations for the purpose of gender equality initiatives. This should list the organisations receiving disbursements. November 2021  

A public hearing on Friday, 18 June 2021 will examine Australia’s role internationally in promoting the elimination of child and forced marriage and the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 17 June 2021

A public hearing on Friday, 18 June 2021 will examine Australia’s role internationally in promoting the elimination of child and forced marriage and the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific. 9am to 12.00pm – child and forced marriage 1.00pm to 3.30pm – human rights of women and girls in the Pacific. Programs for the morning session and the afternoon session are available. Child and Forced Marriage Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the JSCFADT said ‘Australia has played a strong international role in efforts to combat modern slavery, and the Sub-Committee is looking forward to hearing about what more can be done to advocate for an end to child and forced marriage.’ The Sub-committee will hear from government and non-government stakeholders, including Walk Free, Anti-Slavery Australia and the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH). Representatives from Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Federal Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will also be in attendance. Human Rights of women and girls in the Pacific The Committee commenced its inquiry into the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and received many informative submissions last year. The Committee heard of the initial impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on the delivery of programmes in the Pacific, and is interested to hear how the previous year in this space has progressed. Public hearing details Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited room capacity, committee proceedings held at Australian Parliament House are currently not open to members of the public wishing to observe the hearing in-person. The audio of the hearing will be broadcast via the Parliamentary website. Date: Friday 18 June 2021. Time: 9.00am to 3.30pm Location: Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra 9.00am–12.00pm: Elimination of child and forced marriage 9:00am–9:45am: DFAT, ABF, Home Affairs, AFP 10:00am–11:15am: Roundtable 11.30am-12:00pm: Follow up with government agencies 1.00pm–3.30pm: Human rights of women and girls in the Pacific. 1:00pm–2:00pm: DFAT 2:15pm–3:30pm: Roundtable Further information can be found on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Sub-committee Chair Contact: Cristy Elliot Email: menzies@aph.gov.au Phone: 03 9848 9900 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 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.

A new parliamentary inquiry will review how Australia can better engage with our Pacific neighbours to enhance opportunities for women and girls.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 February 2020

A new parliamentary inquiry will review how Australia can better engage with our Pacific neighbours to enhance opportunities for women and girls. The inquiry, to be run by the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will engage with key stakeholders, including civil society groups, to better inform the approaches Australia takes to addressing the needs and enhancing the opportunities for women and girls in the Pacific. Committee Chair Senator the Hon David Fawcett says the inquiry reflects the vital importance of working with our Pacific neighbours and building on already successful initiatives that help enable women and girls to reach their full potential. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, says the inquiry will also identify opportunities for increased engagement specifically with Australia’s Pacific Step-up initiatives to improve the human rights for women and girls. ‘Australia is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to address domestic, family and sexual violence and human rights issues such as gender equality,’ Mr Andrews said. The inquiry follows a 2015 inquiry by the Sub-Committee on a similar issue. Submissions to the inquiry are now being called for, and are due by 18 May 2020. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 Contact: Ms Cristy Elliot cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au