UNITED NATIONS THIRD COMMITTEE: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN – SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS; CHAIR – COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS; CHAIR – WORKING GROUP ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Statement by Ms. Clare Skinner, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations
10 October 2025
Thank you Chair.
Australia welcomes the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s report on the 88th to 90th sessions.
We applaud its emphasis on inclusive decision-making, addressing gender stereotypes, and strengthening protections for all women and girls, including those with disabilities. These priorities strongly resonate with Australia’s commitment to gender equality.
We commend the Committee’s attention on emerging challenges, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the digital economy’s impact on women.
Australia reaffirms its commitment to CEDAW and engaging constructively with its future review processes, including regional cooperation initiatives in the Pacific.
We also thank the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls for highlighting the gendered dimensions of care and support systems.
We acknowledge the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls’s report on surrogacy. We note the issues identified in relation to exploitation, coercion and trafficking that can occur in unregulated and commercial surrogacy markets – while highlighting the importance of strong safeguards and international cooperation to prevent harm to women and children.
At the same time, we emphasise that surrogacy itself is not inherently violent or exploitative when conducted within clear, rights-based legal frameworks.
In Australia, surrogacy is governed by strict legal frameworks to mitigate risks of exploitation and violence and offers a safe and compassionate pathway to parenthood while respecting the autonomy and wellbeing of surrogates.
Australia remains committed to ethical surrogacy practices that comply with international human rights law and welcomes ongoing dialogue on addressing risks and evolving standards.
Thank you.