The changing status of women

Long-term advocate for human rights and social justice Margaret Reynolds will address delegates at the 2007 International Women’s Conference in Toowoomba (September 26 – 29).

An activist in the Australian Women's Movement for over thirty years Ms Reynolds will address delegates on Women’s rights are human rights – the challenges still facing Australian women on the Friday afternoon of the conference at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

Ms Reynolds said the presentation will consider the position of women over time and look the changing status of women’s issues.

'It’s an historical overview of how Australian women were setting the agenda in the 1980’s and early 1990’s,' Ms Reynolds said.

'At that time we were regarded with Scandinavian countries as the leaders in gender policy and development.

'While a number of reforms have enhanced opportunities for women in the following ten years there have been some losses. It depends on who you are, what work you do, whether you have a family, are from an ethnic background, have a disability or are a young single parent.

'The ‘Girls Can Do Anything’ slogan has come to fruition for many women but for others there are still lower rates of pay, poorer conditions. It’s very much a case of one step forward, two steps back.

'We definitely don’t stand with our heads held as high in 2007 as the Australian Government could at the United Nations International Women’s Conference in Beijing in 1995.'

Ms Reynolds was a Senator in the Australian Parliament from 1983-1999, including three years as Minister for the Status of Women and Minister for Local Government and Regional Development.

Since leaving the Australian Parliament in 1999 she has been National President of the United Nations Association of Australia and has made several reports to the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva on the Australian Governments record in meeting its commitments to international human rights conventions affecting women, Indigenous peoples and refugees.

Ms Reynolds’ presentation will take place at 1pm on Friday, September 28 2007 at USQ Toowoomba. For more information and to register to take part in the conference visit the website www.usq.edu.au/iwc2007 or contact the organising committee on (07) 4631 5476.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559