The 38th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

  • Media release

Australia's second session as a memberof the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) commences in Geneva today.

Gender equality and women's rights is oneof Australia's priorities during our three-year term, and will be a prominentfeature of the 38th session.

Dr Sharman Stone, the Ambassador forWomen and Girls will represent Australia, and will lead discussions on women'sparticipation in building resilience in small island developing states.Ambassador Stone will also deliver a statement on gender issues on behalf of anumber of Pacific Island countries, elevating the voices of our Pacificneighbours at the HRC.

Australia recognises that nationalhuman rights institutions and civil society make an important contribution tothe discussions at the HRC. I am pleased that we are working with June OscarAO, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner ofthe Australian Human Rights Commission, to promote the rights of indigenouswomen and girls.

Over the three-week session, Australiawill work with other UN members and civil society to protect and promote humanrights worldwide.

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