Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ninth CEDAW Report

Progress has been made on a range of issues facing women but there is still more to do, as explored in the draft ninth periodic report from Aotearoa New Zealand on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

CEDAW is the primary international legal instrument that guides women’s rights, and is often described as an international bill of rights for women. New Zealand ratified CEDAW in 1985 and regularly reports on progress. New Zealand speaks strongly for women in international forums and works hard to meet its obligations in relation to the status of women. 

Public consultation on the CEDAW report

Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women has developed the latest report in collaboration with other public sector agencies. Public consultation is an important part of the CEDAW monitoring process. We now invite your feedback on the draft version of New Zealand’s ninth periodic CEDAW Report.

Public consultation is open from 26 January to 24 March 2023. The final report is due to the United Nations in July 2023. 

Click here to download the draft ninth CEDAW report. 

Please note, this is a draft version of the report approved for release by Cabinet. Some sections in the report have progressed since this approval. Use this document to see the changes to these sections.

How to provide feedback

You can provide feedback in one of the following ways: 

1. Complete the survey: this survey can be submitted online via Survey Monkey and can be done anonymously. Click here to access the survey.
2. Complete the feedback form: this feedback form allows you to respond to any section of the report. You can respond to as many sections as you like. Click here to download the feedback form. Complete and email to info@women.govt.nz. 
3. Email: you can provide feedback on the report via info@women.govt.nz. 
4. Post: you can submit feedback by post, either the feedback form or a general letter, to Level 9, Qual IT House, 22 The Terrace, PO Box 10 049, Wellington, New Zealand.

Please choose one option and the best option that works for you. You do not need to complete all of the above options. 

The report responds to a list of questions from the CEDAW Committee. The report should be read in conjunction with the list of issues and questions and the table of changes.

What is in the report?

As a state party to CEDAW, New Zealand prepares a regular report on our implementation of the Convention, usually every four years. 

The draft report has been written with input from public sector agencies on their respective areas of responsibility.

The report is structured according to the questions from the CEDAW Committee, received in July 2022. There is also a section covering some additional information included at the end, as well as several appendices. One appendix outlines the progress of women and girls in Tokelau. 

The List of Issues cover a broad range of areas, including issues relating to the health and wellbeing of women and girls, women peace and security, sexual harassment in the workplace, gender-responsive budgeting, and criminalising gender-based violence.

What happens next?

Following the consultation period, the draft report will be updated and finalised, prior to its submission to the CEDAW Committee. The Government will submit the report in July 2023. The final report will be shared on this website.

The final report will be examined by the Committee with a delegation from New Zealand present to answer questions. The review has not yet been scheduled, but generally takes place 1-2 years after submission of the report.

Safety and Privacy statement

Safety concerns

This consultation seeks your views on the status and experiences of women in New Zealand. Your safety is important to us. If the content in this survey puts you at risk of physical or mental harm, it is important that you know where to go for information or seek help.

If you wish to talk to someone about how you are feeling, you can call or text 1737.

Privacy of data

The Privacy Act 2020 governs how the Ministry collects, holds, uses, and discloses personal information about you and the information you provide. You have the right to access and correct personal information.

Any feedback, changes, personal anecdotes, quotations, etc., supplied to inform the CEDAW report, and which may be incorporated into the final report, will be done so anonymously.

The online survey does not require participants to provide their personal information when submitting a response and therefore is anonymous. Submitters can provide their name and the organisation they represent if they so choose. Submissions received via email will have the email addresses (and possibly other personal information) displayed in the sender information fields of the email. 

Any personal information supplied via the online survey or by email will only be seen by Manatū Wāhine staff. It will not be shared with any other government or external agency, or be listed in the final CEDAW report submitted to the United Nations.

Please note that your feedback may be subject to a request to Manatū Wahine for information under the Official Information Act 1982. Personal details can be withheld under the Act, including your name and address. If you do not want any information you provide to be released, please indicate this clearly and explain why. 

You can request to access or correct your information at any time. Contact info@women.govt.nz to request your information or if you have any questions or concerns about this.