Media Contacts:
Mr Smith’s Office:
Adam Siddique (02) 6277 7500 or 0407 473 630
Ms Plibersek’s Office:
Darrin Barnett 0428 119 703
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590
THE HON STEPHEN SMITH MP, MINISTER FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP, MINISTER FOR HOUSING;
MINISTER FOR THE STATUS OF WOMEN
AA 08 68
24 November 2008
AUSTRALIA ADDRESSES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
IN OUR REGION
Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Status of
Women, today released the report, ‘Violence Against Women in Melanesia and East Timor’.
The report, by AusAID’s Office of Development Effectiveness, reveals that women in the
Asia-Pacific region are victims of high levels of domestic and sexual violence.
The report provides a framework to address violence against women by increasing women’s
access to justice and support services and changing attitudes and practices that encourage and
condone violence.
Foreign Minister Smith said, “Violence against women is a serious human rights issue, causing
trauma to women, their families and their communities across the region. It also poses
significant development challenges.”
Minister Plibersek said Australia is taking a leadership role in the region, having now
completed almost all of the necessary steps to accede to the United Nations Optional Protocol
to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW).
“Acceding to the Optional Protocol will send a strong message that Australia is serious about
promoting gender equality and that we are prepared to be judged by international standards,”
Ms Plibersek said.
“It will also add credibility to our offers of support to women across the region – such as those
suffering high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in East Timor and Melanesia.”
The report demonstrates Australia’s commitment to assisting our neighbours reach the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including gender equality.
The Australian Government will use the report to effectively build partnerships with local and
regional stakeholders to address violence against women.
NEWS 
