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