Statement by: Rob Mitchell MP, Member of Australian Parliament 
As delivered
 

Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her briefing and report on violence against women and girls, nationality laws and statelessness.

Both statelessness and discriminatory nationality laws compound the inequalities that too many girls, women and their children face. Such discrimination violates human rights and can perpetuate gender-based violence. Addressing such injustices is critical to the safety, security and wellbeing of women and girls.

In our region, Australia is committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence, including that caused by statelessness and discriminatory nationality laws.

Australia works with partners to prevent all forms of gender-based violence and support survivors. With the University of New South Wales Forced Migration Research Network, Australia is supporting efforts to achieve gender equality and strengthen refugee women’s leadership, including to end sexual and gender-based violence in refugee settings in Southeast Asia.

We would welcome the Special Rapporteur’s views on effective measures through which women and girls can be recognized and protected by States.