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Location: Home  »  International  » United Nations Commission on the Status of Women  » Outcomes of the 48th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Outcomes of the 48th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

A large Australian delegation took part in the 48th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York from 1-12 March 2004. The Australian Delegation was headed by Ambassador John Dauth, Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations. Members of the Delegation also comprised Kerry Flanagan, First Assistant Secretary, OfW (Deputy Head of the Delegation); James Choi, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the UN; Pru Goward, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC); Melissa Stutsel, Senior Policy Officer, HREOC; Malisa Golightly, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Small Business; Matt Minogue, Assistant Secretary, Justice System and Administrative Law Branch, Attorney-General's Department; Robyn Gaspari, NGO adviser (Treasurer/Finance Officer, Australian Women's Coalition); and Angela De Conno, NGO adviser (President, YWCA Adelaide, YWCA Australia).

Several Australian women's NGOs also attended as observers, including representatives of:

• YWCA of Australia (member of International YWCA delegation)

• Women's International League for Freedom and Peace
• Baha'i Community of Australia
• Catholic Women's League of Australia
• Endeavour Forum
• International Council of Churches
• Business and Professional Women
• Australian Women's Coalition

Ms Flanagan delivered Australia's country statement, outlining Australian Government initiatives to advance gender equality. This year's meeting also focused on progress in two theme areas: women's equal participation in conflict prevention, management, conflict resolution and post-conflict peace building; and the role of men and boys in gender equality. Prior to CSW 48, OfW held consultations with the National Women's Secretariats, who represent over 50 Australian Women's organisations, on both of these theme issues. Dr Robert Connell, Professor of the School of Policy and Practice, University of Sydney also attended CSW 48 where he participated in expert panel discussions on the theme of "the role of men and boys in gender equality". This was the first time that an Australian has participated in an expert panel at CSW. Dr Connell's expertise was widely quoted in the United Nations' press releases during CSW 48 and he was a valuable source of information to the delegation during negotiations on the agreed conclusions statement.