UNGA81 Third Committee: Advancement of Women Australian National Statement
Statement delivered by Ms. Clare Skinner, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the United Nations
8 October, 2026
Thank you, Chair.
At a time when hard-won gains are being increasingly challenged, Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to gender equality, and to the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in economic, social and political life.
Australia is proud to work with partners across the Indo-Pacific and globally to promote women’s human rights, leadership, and economic empowerment; prevent and respond to gender-based violence; and expand access to health services, including sexual and reproductive health services.
At home, Australia is taking concrete steps to ensure gender-responsive budgeting, improve equity in health services and address the systemic drivers of gender inequality.
We welcome the focus of the reports on femicide, the impact of technology on trafficking in women and girls, violence against older women, the imperative to end obstetric fistula within a decade, and female genital mutilation. All of these issues highlight the need for rights-based, survivor centred approaches that address discrimination and ensure access to quality services.
So we ask, how can we effectively centre the perspectives of women and girls in our efforts to prevent and respond to these harms?