A strong advocate for Australian women, particularly those living and working in rural and remote areas, will take her voice for women’s rights and issues to the international stage in 2008.

 

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Professor of Social Work and Human Services, Margaret Alston has been appointed by the Federal Government as Australia’s non-government representative to the 2008 meeting of the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women.

 

Professor Alston will be a member of the Australian delegation for the 52^nd session of the Commission, due to be held in the UN headquarters in New York from Monday 25 February to Friday 7 March 2008.

 

“My appointment to the UN Commission by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues, the Hon. Julie Bishop, MP, gives me an ideal opportunity to observe first hand international negotiations on the status of women across the world. It will be a privilege to watch the Australian delegation at work and to be available to provide advice and support to the government delegates.”

 

As program leader in the University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, Professor Alston has researched extensively on drought, education, health and women’s issues.

 

The CSU academic also regularly speaks out to correct injustices on issues such as anti-discrimination laws, abortion, child sexual abuse, domestic violence and other social justice matters.

 

The Commission on the Status of Women was established in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It aims to prepare recommendations and reports to the Council on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social and education fields. The Commission also addresses urgent women’s rights issues when needed around the world.

 

The 52^nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women will be held with the theme of 'Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women'.