NFAW submission to the inquiry into the effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984

July 1, 2008

Introduction

1.1. The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) welcomes the opportunity for wide ranging community input offered by the Inquiry of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee into the Effectiveness of the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality.

1.2. NFAW has well established credibility in documenting and commenting on the impact of government policies on the well-being of women and girls and is firmly committed to the principle of evidence- based policy.

. NFAW, a non-politically aligned feminist organisation, was founded in 1989. Its objectives are:

1.3.1. To advance and promote the interests of Australian women

1.3.2. To record and make accessible the histories of Australian women

1.3.3. To ensure women’s achievements are handed on to future generations

1.4. NFAW has been particularly interested over the past several years in the position of women (including young women) in the workforce. We commissioned and published research on the impacts on certain groups of women of changes to the income support system (Welfare to Work).

1.5. In association with other non-government organisations, including the Young Women’s Christian Association (Australia) and the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) NFAW commissioned and published research on the impacts of the former Government’s WorkChoices policy on lowincome women, and conducted consultations and published the report of the views of women and their organisations on WorkChoices (What Women Want).

1.6. NFAW has played an important role in ensuring that the matter of paid maternity leave was referred to the Productivity Commission for report. At earlier dates we have examined health policy; commissioned and published a paper on the ethical issues in the termination of pregnancies; and given evidence to the Senate Committee inquiring into the Transparent Advertising and Notification of Pregnancy Counselling Services Bill of 2005. Further details are available on www.nfaw.org.

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