International

New Zealand is party to a number of international agreements that protect and promote the rights of women in New Zealand and around the world. These include the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which sets goals for the global advancement of women. 

New Zealand speaks strongly for women in international forums and works hard to meet its obligations in relation to the status of women. The Ministry is the lead agency for this work. In this role it:

• promotes and protects the interests and well-being of women in international forums
  
• promotes the development of domestic policy that is consistent with international responsibilities of New Zealand in relation to the status of women.

In 2007/08, the focus will be on:

• preparing for the presentation of New Zealand’s sixth report on its implementation of CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) – our four-yearly ‘report card’ to the United Nations on the status of women
• supporting ministerial attendance at the annual meeting of Australasian women’s affairs ministers (MINCO).

We manage the government’s international obligations in relation to the status of women

It has a dual focus:

• externally, on the role New Zealand plays as a good international citizen in international forums, in particular managing the process by which New Zealand reports on its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• internally, on promoting the development of domestic policy that is consistent with the international obligations assumed by the government.
  

The Ministry works with other agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on international issues that are relevant to the well-being and interests of women.

The Ministry will also continue to facilitate the meetings of the Caucus on International Women’s Issues, a domestic forum to encourage an exchange of information and experience among those working in international forums to address issues relevant to the well-being of women.

In this section you will find information on:

CEDAW

New Zealand’s four-yearly ‘report card’ to the United Nations on the status of women.

International Strategy

The strategy setting out how the Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ approaches its responsibilities in relation to meeting New Zealand’s obligations in relation to women.

International Work Programme

The Ministry’s current work programme for international.

Caucus on International Women's Issues

A forum for government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and individuals to collaborate to promote the interests of women in international forums.

Contacts

Ministry of  Foreign Affairs and Trade - click here
United Nations - includes information on CEDAW and CSW
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - CEDAW
Commonwealth Secretariat - click here