Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Australia welcomes the establishment of UN Women

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australia welcomes the establishment of the new United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, to be known as ‘UN Women’.

The new body, UN Women, will allow better coordination of global efforts to promote gender equality and empower women.

Australia believes this will help women in developing countries through more streamlined responses by the UN system and donor countries. 

Australia has been a strong advocate for strengthening the institutional arrangements for gender equality within the United Nations, and played an active and positive role in the establishment of this new body.

Australia is committed to advancing women’s rights and promoting greater equality between men and women at home and abroad and will support the work of UN Women.

Together with our development assistance partners, including UN agencies, Australia is helping women in developing countries to better participate in economic life, including through assistance for child and maternal health care and anti-violence against women projects.

Australia is also supporting more women to take up leadership positions in government, business, education and community organisations.

Removing discrimination and actively supporting the full participation of women in economic, social and political life is a key factor in reducing poverty and improving