CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/7
United Nations
Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women
Distr.: General
27 July 2012
Original: English
ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION
Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women
Fifty-second session
9 – 27 July 2012
Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women
New Zealand
1.
The Committee considered the seventh
periodic report of New Zealand
(CEDAW/C/NZL/7) at its 1053th and 1054th meetings, on 18 July 2012
(CEDAW/C/SR.984 and 985). The Committee’s list of issues and questions is contained in
CEDAW/C/NZL/Q/7, and the responses of the Government of New Zealand are contained
in CEDAW/C/NZL/Q/7/Add.1.
Introduction
2.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for the timely
submission of its seventh periodic report, which was well structured and followed the
Committee’s guidelines for the preparation of reports and included references to the
Committee’s general recommendations. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the
State party for its oral presentation, the written replies to the list of issues and questions
raised by the pre-session working group, and the further clarifications to the questions
posed orally by the Committee.
3.
The Committee commends the State party for its high-level delegation, headed by
the Minister of Women’s Affairs, the Honourable Jo Goodhew.
4.
The Committee notes with appreciation that the report was prepared in a
participatory process involving Government institutions, Parliament and national civil
society organizations, including women’s organizations.
5.
The Committee welcomes the presence and contribution of the New Zealand Human
Rights Commission to its work.
Positive aspects
5.
The Committee commends the State party for withdrawing its last reservation to the
Convention following the passing of the Human Rights Amendment Act in 2007, which
made it possible for women to serve in combat roles in the armed forces.