Australia has a proud record on women's rights, and has been named a 'model state' by UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan. But not all women have access to these rights and government policies do not always take their effects on women into account. The Australian NGO delegation will spend the next two weeks lobbying government delegations to support strong statements on issues ranging from the effects on women of mandatory sentencing laws, recognition of indigenous health programs that incorporate cultural health practices, and the rights of women to express their sexuality without fear of discrimination, to the rights of girls and women to participate freely and without restrictions in lifelong physical activity. Australian NGOs are also working closely with similar organisations from across the South East Asian region on issues that affect women across national boundaries. For the last five years, Australian women have worked with Asian women as part of a regional lobby group, on issues including the continued feminisiation of poverty, women in situations of armed conflict, the negative impacts of globalisation, the increased trafficking in women and girls, and the continuing lack of access to power and decision making.
Delegates attending the New York meetings are available for interview.