AUSTRALIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS E-mail UN.Geneva@dfat.gov.au Chemin des Fins 2, Petit Saconnex, 1211 Geneva 19 Ph +41 22 799 9100 Fax +41 22 799 9175 www.genevamission.gov.au Fourth Forum on Minority Issues Item V: Minority women and effective participation in economic, social and cultural life Statement by Australia 30 November 2011 The Australian Government takes a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to supporting women, and we would I ike to share some of the measures that we have implemented to ensure the rights of minority women. Australia believes that access to government services is critical in helping to ensure effective participation in economic, social and cultural life for women, particularly women from minority backgrounds. In Australia's Multicultural Policy, the Government made a commitment to strengthening the existing access and equity strategy, which endeavours to ensure that government programs and services are responsive to all Australians, irrespective of their cultural and linguistic background. This includes the delivery of health, education, training and employment services to migrant women. Every two years, the Government publishes an Access and Equity in Government Services Report. The Report includes examples of initiatives undertaken by government departments and agencies, including programs that encourage the social, economic and educational participation of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 'Women' was a theme area for the 2006-08 Access and Equity Report. Further, Australia has implemented a number of programs to address the rights of minority women, and to ensure their effective participation in all aspects of Australian life. The Indigenous Women's Program (IWP) provides small grants to eligible organisations across Australia that work to enhance the leadership skiIIs of Indigenous women in a range of areas such as pathways to educational and employment opportunities, parenting skills and local governance. The IWP aims to: support more Indigenous women to undertake leadership, representative and management roles, increase Indigenous women's awareness of, access to, and role in local priority setting and Government funding activities, address issues identified by Indigenous women as priorities in their communities strengthen women's networks and organisations, and support Indigenous women's cultural traditions. Australia also recognises that refugee women may experience particular challenges and require targeted support and assistance. Australia has developed a number of programs