CEDAW 2010: Get Involved

The aim of the CEDAW Project 2010 is to bring women's and community groups together to discuss the Government's progress on addressing discrimination against women in New Zealand in law and the application of law.

This is the opportunity for all women to voice their opinions, tell their stories and debate issues of mutual interest in all facets of life.

There are several different ways women and groups can engage in this project:

  • To keep informed: join the CEDAW e-group
  • To engage in quick polls and post your opinion: join the Generations Public Forum
  • To debate the issues: attend a Regional Consultation Meeting
  • To have your say in how you are being discriminated against: make a Submission
  • To get active on the CEDAW project: become a CEDAW Project Volunteer

CEDAW e-group

Groups and individuals can join this e-group, which is an information service. Information about engaging in the project will be emailed to you. Your details, such as your name, or group and your contact email address will be held on a database attached to our website.

Over the next 12 months, increasing levels of information will be dispatched, such as where and when regional consultation meetings will be held, and who will be hosting them. Opportunities for engaging in polling will also be advertised via the e-group. Likewise information about other aspects of CEDAW and the CEDAW project will be transmitted via this e-group.

If you would like to join this information group, please email lyndasutherland@ncwnz.org.nz and type CEDAW e-group in the subject heading. 

Generations Public Forum

To identify discriminatory practices and policy, NCWNZ has operated the GirlTalk - Generations e-group. This group is divided into Generation S (Senior) to Generation Y. This enables NCWNZ to assess the generational differences that exist and how that then impacts on social opinion. A series of polling questions and opportunities for comment are submitted to members of this e-group.

As of 26th November 2009, the GirlTalk - Generations e-group will be administer via the "Generations" Public Forum, which is housed on the NCWNZ website. The treatment of the data received will continue as usual, with analysis posted to the website and reproduced in the Circular, the NCWNZ newsletter.

Questions are transmitted each month, or more frequently depending upon the data sought.

Join the Generations Public Forum.

Regional Consultation Meetings

Regional Consultation Meetings will be held around the country from March - June/July so that individuals and organisations can respond to the CEDAW Modules and Discussion Documents

These meetings will be open to all women and groups wanting to participate at the local level.  As more groups and branches' arrangements are arranged these will also be posted to the site.

If you are interested in attending a meeting, please contact us for more information or to RSVP for a meeting.

* Christchurch meeting for Module 3 CEDAW 

Date: Wednesday 06 October 2010

Time: 5.30 - 7pm

Venue: Canterbury Women's Club, 190 Worcester Street, Christchurch

Submission Process

Similar to the Regional Consultation Meetings, it's preferable if submissions could be based on the consultation modules. This just assists in the collation process and helps us develop some understanding of the depth of support for the information put forward.

Submissions can be written from the perspective of the individual or groups. We encourage you to complete a census form which should accompany your submission.

You do not have to respond to every item covered in the consultation modules; respond only to the area where you feel you have a story, an experience you wish to share, or an opinion, or specialist knowledge.

The deadline for submission has yet to be firmly established; we are currently estimating it will be set in June or July 2010. We need to ensure we have sufficient time to collate responses, produce a draft summary report for submitters to review, then a final summary report which can be sent to the United Nations before the end of the year.

We will communicate the deadline for submissions via the CEDAW E-group, the NCWNZ Circular and website and via the wider electronic network.

CEDAW Project Volunteers

NCWNZ will again be looking for volunteers to assist with the CEDAW project from early 2010 onwards.

If you are a resident of Wellington, have free time between 9.30am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday and are willing to submit to a Police check, then there may be a volunteer opportunity working on this project at the NCWNZ National Office.

Volunteers are needed to help carry out research, collate data, administrative work and a variety of other tasks.

Email:lyndasutherland@ncwnz.org.nz for more information or to offer your time.

Volunteers will also be needed to assist with the Regional Consultation meetings. Again, you are welcome to contact us and we will see what is on offer in your local area in 2010.