7 May 2010
Chief Commissioner
Human Rights Commission,
Wellington
Human Rights and Women: draft text
PURPOSE
ACYA is interested in the preparation of the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights (NZAPHR) 2010-15 of the Human Rights Commission (HRC). This particular draft paper is “Human Rights and Women”.
There will be a separate chapter for children so our interest is in women as mothers, caregivers and as the girl child. Reference is made to the Convention on all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). That is also of current interest to us.
CEDAW Articles of interest include:
Article:
5b maternity and the upbringing and development of their
children, the interest of the children is the primordial
consideration in all cases.
6 suppression of trafficking and exploitation through prostitution.
9.2 women shall equal rights in nationality of their children.
10 equal rights to education including advice on family planning.
11.2 a & b in respect of work pregnancy protection and maternity leave
11.2.c child care services
12 provision of maternity services
13 rights to family benefits
14 rural women protection including services for education,
maternity services
16 equality of marriage and family relations including rights of the child.
ACYA
Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa Incorporated (ACYA) is a coalition of Non Governmental Organizations, families and individuals whose purpose is to promote the well-being of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand through:
- education and advocacy on the rights of children and young people;
- encouraging the government to act on the recommendations of the United Nations
Committee on the Rights of the Child; and
- promoting opportunities for the voice and participation of children and young people.
This submission has been prepared by the ACYA Committee and the views expressed in it may not represent the views of each ACYA member.
CORE TEXT
The chapter text is available at:
http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/05-Mar-2010_17-24-06_HRC_Womens_Issues_for_web.pdf
TEXT COMMENT
Page
4 References CEDAW art 11.2 b re employment and maternity
4 References in the final paragraph to the term “girl child” implied in texts
5 Quotes UNCROC
5 Identifies ILO 138 Maternity that is not ratified
6 Paid Parental Leave; Employment Relations Act 2008 amendment Infant feeding
15 Violence against women: age bracket 16-30 have 70% of victims of sexual violence
17 “What next” 2nd bullet point : specific work on child sex abuse.
18 Maternity protections; paid parental leave
19 Breast feeding
19 Early childhood services
21 Need to do: maternity protections
Commentary
Basically we support the provided text but make the following observations:
a) There is no reference to arranged marriages, or if there exists evidence of female genital mutilation in New Zealand.
b) Reference to the Ministry of Social Development Social Report 2009 may be of value.
c) In respect of poverty there might be a mention of the statistics relevant to solo mothers or caregivers and we note in the Commissioner for Children’s Newsletter No 72 numerous references to the effects of child poverty that may be related to the women’s income deficiencies or work demands.
d) The question of teenage pregnancy is not addressed or the poor outcome for Maori and Pacific girls in educational outcomes.
e) Girls bringing up other children.
f) Care and protection issues for girls evident in abuse statistics and for instance the changes by ACC of sex abuse treatment.
g) Safety of girls in employment and exposure to sexual harassment.
h) Grandmothers bringing up grandchildren.
i) The effects of Social Assistance (Future Focus) Bill and of the Government May 2010 budget on provisions for mothers, caregivers and the girl child.
Alison Blaiklock
Peter Shuttleworth
for ACYA Committee
