Protecting and Promoting Women’s Rights: A Seminar for Lawyers and Barristers on Using the Optional Protocol to the UN Women’s Convention
In December 2008, Australia became a party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This treaty establishes two procedures – a communication procedure and an inquiry procedure – to enforce women’s rights to non-discrimination and equality.
This seminar will examine how the communication and inquiry procedures can be used to better protect and promote women’s rights, both domestically and internationally. It will explain how these procedures operate and provide detailed information on how to use them. The seminar will consider key jurisprudence decided under the Optional Protocol and reflect on lessons for advocates.
The seminar will be introduced by special guest speaker Dr. Cassandra Goldie, Director, Sex Discrimination Unit, Australian Human Rights Commission and presented by Simone Cusack and Lucy McKernan.
When
Tuesday, 17 November 2024 at 9.30am – 12.30pm
Where
Allens Arthur Robinson
Level 27, 530 Collins Street Melbourne
Who
Simone Cusack - Simone is a Public Interest Lawyer at PILCH and an independent consultant to the World Health Organization on human rights. She is a former Fellow at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, has previously worked at Blake Dawson, and has experience at the UN. Simone has published and lectured on international human rights law and women’s rights.
Lucy McKernan - Lucy is Co-Manager of the Public Interest Law Scheme at PILCH. She is also on the Management Committees of Reprieve Australia and the Humanitarian Crisis Hub. Prior to joining PILCH, Lucy worked as a Senior Associate at Allens Arthur Robinson. She has extensive experience in the pro bono and community sectors.
RSVP
Please register below by 1 November 2009. We will contact you to confirm your reservation.
The event is free of charge but donations are welcome.
For further information please contact Simone Cusack on (03) 8636 4415 or at 
simone.cusack@pilch.org.au.