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Forum:
Convention to Eliminate all
forms of Discrimination Against
Women + Convention on Rights of
People with Disabilities
Diversity and implementation
concerns and issues from Australia
Perspectives of people who experience
mental health issues.
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Forum: Diversity and implementation
general concerns and issues
From Australia:
Australian Politics
 Our national Government is not responsive to respecting human rights.
 Asylum seekers -treated inhumanely and have little legal redress.
 Funded social support programs are under threat of defunding.
 Social security and other supports for disadvantaged are being
‘reformed’ to save $.
Australian Human Rights Commission
• Commissioners who write reports have been criticized in parliament
and attempts to de-value their work and professional integrity in media
have been shameful.
• Political involvement in appointment of latest commissioner has
potential to undermine the ‘fearless integrity’ that typifies the
Commission at this time.
• Disability Discrimination Commissioner role has been downgraded. The
position became a part-time role, held by a person who has no disability
or direct connection to disability work.
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AUSTRALIA: CONCERNS and ISSUES
- WHAT’S GOOD AND WHAT IS LEFT TO BE DONE
NDIS- National Disability Insurance Scheme
3 tiered scheme.
Tier 1 people managing disability without additional supports
Tier 2 people accessing supports funded by organizations Tier 3 people with
support needs that need to be met. This is the funded part of the Scheme.
NDIS Principles- These principles underpin the scheme
i] person must have choice and control over the support
ii] support offered must enable their independence
iii] self management must be facilitated
Funded by
1.
Small levy in taxation
2.
All funds for disability supports across all states –consolidated into one fund
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Convention to Eliminate all forms of
Discrimination Against Women
Australian issues.
CEDAW.
Australia has sought exemptions around two issues.
1. Defence forces: Women not to be placed in ‘front-line’ combat roles.
2. Paid maternity leave: Due to complexities of workplace laws and
States autonomy around making such laws. National Gov’t. can’t
dictate in this area. (probably not wanting to, not needing to!)
GENERAL COMMENT.
Women with MH issues & reproductive rights. Info & support needed
around medications & pregnancy for these women. More research
on effects of illness and of medications on female endocrine system.
CSW 59 –NEW YORK March 2015.
Australian Women with disabilities objected to the pre-prepared
declaration….
i] because women with disabilities were not mentioned in declaration.
ii]
“ civil society and women's organisations were also excluded
from ensuring community key issues and input were reflected in the
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declaration.
AUSTRALIA: CONCERNS and ISSUES
- WHAT’S GOOD AND WHAT IS LEFT TO BE DONE
Equal wages for women
In present political and economic climate this is unlikely to be
addressed.
Paid Maternity Leave
Efforts to introduce a universal paid Maternity Leave policy failed in
2014.
oThere isn’t an appetite for this ‘burden’ as business claims it is
economically unviable.
oWomen’s groups felt that jobs for younger women would dry up.
o Legal protections would need to be strengthened before this is
raised again.
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Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
Australian issues
Civil Society Report on Australia points to a plethora of issues on
each article of COPD.
For details look up http://www.pwd.org.au
Focus on People living with psychosocial disabilities.
o Appalling statistics around life expectancy and preventable
health conditions.
o Due equally to the nature of their disorders and the effects of
medications.
 Iatrogenic effects:
- physiological impacts of MI and treatments, memory loss,
cognitive impairment, function & disease of internal organs and
systems (endocrine, metabolic, cardio vascular), sexual performance, personal
functioning, effects of weight gain (musculo-skeletal, feet, respiration etc)
Screening: for known risks …-Age, gender, MI and treatment
related
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Known physiological and iatrogenic effects of
mental illness and its treatment
 Cardio-vascular disease
 Respiratory disease
 Metabolic diseases
 Diabetes
 Blood pressure
 Liver disease
 Obesity etc.etc
‘human’ factors
 Sexually transmitted
disease
 Poor dietary habits
 Smoking
 ‘Non-compliance’ to
pharmaceutical
medications
 Alcohol + substance
misuse
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AUSTRALIA: CONCERNS and ISSUES
- WHAT’S GOOD AND WHAT IS LEFT TO BE DONE
Known physiological and iatrogenic effects of
mental illness and its treatment for people living persistent
mental illness
 Life expectancy- 50-59 years (81-84 general population)
 Cardio-vascular disease- 2.5 x general population
 Respiratory disease- 2 x general population
 Cancer- Rates same as general population: Death rate- M: 55%, F:35%
 Diabetes- 5 x general population
 Blood pressure- 34.1% c/f general population
 Liver disease- M:3.5 x general population, F: 2.5 x
 Obesity – 60%-80% etc.etc
They ought to have the right to ”highest attainable standard
of health care”!! Article 25.
It’s a scandal and it must be taken seriously
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Thank you for your interest in our short summary of Rights
from our consumer perspective in Australia
JANET MEAGHER
Diversity and Rights Australia
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