Former South Australian Senator Natasha Stott Despoja elected to United Nations role
Former SA senator and Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja has been elected to a top United Nations role aimed at ending discrimination against women.
SA News
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Natasha Stott Despoja has been elected to a top United Nations role aimed at ending discrimination against women.
The former South Australian senator and Australian Democrats leader is the first Australian in 28 years to join the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
She begins a four-year term in January and will be one of 23 independent experts monitoring the efforts of countries around the world to improve gender equality.
Ms Stott Despoja said the need to protect women’s rights was even greater in the wake of coronavirus.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated inequalities in the home and in the workforce, with many women working on the frontline and providing services to the community,” she said.
“One of the most disturbing consequences is the increase in women’s experience of violence.
“We cannot risk winding back the gains we have made as a consequence of the pandemic.”
Ms Stott Despoja was previously Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, and now chairs violence-prevention organisation Our Watch.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne congratulated her on the appointment, saying it built on Australia’s commitment to fight discrimination against women and girls in Australia and globally.