About SOWC
SOWC is committed to advancing women’s rights and promoting gender equality and seeks to raise awareness of these issues in the Victorian community.
SOWC connects UNAA Victoria members working in this field and seeks the support of the wider community for the work of the UN on gender equality and related issues.
SOWC is represented on the UNAA Victoria Executive Committee and, through the national UNAA Status of Women Network, has representation on the National Executive of the United Nations Association of Australia. SOWC is a member of Equality Rights Alliance, part of the Australian Government’s national consultative mechanism for non-government organisations with a specific focus on the impact of policy and service delivery on women.
Aims & Objectives:
- To examine and where necessary to take action with regard to all factors – political, educational, economic, legal and social – which affect the equality and status of women;
- To work with the UNAA and in the community to promote understanding of the work of the UN and in particular the impact it has on women;
- To work for the adoption and ratification of UN conventions and protocols relevant to women;
- To work for the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals in general, and specifically those aimed to advance the status of women;
What we do
The Status of Women Committee links members of the United Nations Association of Australia (Victorian Division) working on issues that impact the quality of women’s lives in Australia and internationally.
The Committee works to inform the wider community about emerging issues in the women’s rights sector and promote liaison between local NGOs with ECOSOC general observer status at the UN.
To achieve its aims and objectives, the Committee runs a number of programs and activities aimed at educating the Victorian community on key women’s rights and empowerment issues.
The Committee also undertakes research and advocacy work on gender equality, with a particular focus on priority issues on the UN agenda as well as Australia’s progress in these areas.
