Statement 121 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

Human Rights Council – 14th Session

Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences

Statement made by Ms Robyn Hodgkin

7 June 2010

Australia thanks all three mandate holders for their valuable reports and presentations to the Council. Last week we thanked the Special Rapporteur on the right to health for his visit and report on Australia. We would like to address these remarks to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

Australia welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s first thematic report to the Council and the focus topic of reparations and compensation.

The continuing high rates of violence against women require increased international attention to ensure that women are able to live free from violence and the fear of violence. This includes ensuring that women around the world are able to access justice and support services if they have been subjected to violence.

The Australian Government recognises that reducing violence against women is crucial to achieving global gender equality and improving development effectiveness. To this end, Australia is committed to intensifying its efforts to address violence against women in Australia, as well as contributing to international efforts to end violence against women globally and in our region.