CEDAW changes proposed as ADF gender equality increases

A public hearing focusing on opportunities for women to serve in combat roles in the Australian Defence Forces has been held by the Treaties Committee in Canberra.

In 2016, the federal government’s policy to remove all gender restrictions from the ADF was fully implemented, meaning that women have equal opportunity to apply and be considered for all positions within the armed forces.

As a consequence, the Treaties Committee has been reviewing the withdrawal of Australia’s reservation to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) concerning women in combat and combat-related duties.

“Recent changes to the ADF policy mean that Australia’s reservation to the convention dealing with combat duties is no longer necessary,” said Committee Chair Stuart Robert.

“The committee’s review will include examining the uptake of women in combat roles to date and the practices of other nations in gender exclusion from such positions.”

The committee will report on the proposed treaty action by 20 June 2017.

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