Latest news with #CEDAW
Asahi Shimbun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Lower House reviews three bills on dual surname issue
Takahiro Kuroiwa of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan goes over the outline of a bill he submitted for dual surnames during the Lower House Committee on Judicial Affairs' meeting on May 30. (Takeshi Iwashita) The Lower House Committee on Judicial Affairs began discussions on May 30 on multiple opposition party bills that would allow married couples to have different surnames, the first time it has met on the issue since 1997. The three bills vary in framework and were submitted by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People and the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin). Even though all three bills are unlikely to pass, any making it to the voting stage would mark a first for any piece of dual surname legislation and put the pertinent party's convictions to the test. One past instance where resolve crumbled was in 1991 when the justice minister at the time requested the ministry's Legislative Council to review the single-surname policy. Japan's ratification of the United Nation's Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) prompted this request because the CEDAW committee usually demanded its member parties to correct their domestic laws discriminating against women. The Legislative Council then proposed allowing each spouse to choose their last names in 1996 and the government responded positively with a plan to submit a bill to revise related civil laws. The plan was shut down after opposition from conservative members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The next push for dual surnames saw more success when the now-dissolved Democratic Party of Japan's bill made it to the Lower House in 1997. However, the Judicial Affairs Committee discussed the bill but didn't hold a vote and the bill was abandoned. Although married couples can choose to adopt either spouse's last name, more than 90 percent of women change their surname to their husband's. This has prompted four separate instances, as of last year, where the CEDAW committee has recommended that the Japanese government revise the civil law around family names. SAME INTENT, DIFFERENT APPROACHES The ruling LDP has lawmakers who both support and oppose the issue. This internal division has led to the party postponing its decision on whether to submit its own bill and no set timeline on when this would occur. The three bills submitted were discussed simultaneously during the Lower House committee session, with lawmakers from each party outlining each of their respective bills. Of these, the bill of the CDP of Japan most closely matches what the Justice Ministry's Legislative Council proposed and would grant married couples the freedom to either share or keep their respective surnames. If a couple opts for separate last names, the legal marriage process will include a required step where they must choose which name their children will use should they have any. Regardless of their choice of a single or separate surnames, the couple and their children are registered as the same family. The DPP's bill is also based on the Legislative Council's outline. Its key difference is that couples must choose who to register as the head of the family and this will dictate the surname of any future children. The party tailored its bill to better suit couples without children in recognition that not every married couple has them. Nippon Ishin, meanwhile, is the outlier. Its bill maintains the one-surname policy but also provides legal assurances for the official use of maiden names as the practice currently has no legal framework. Its outline indicates that spouses have the option to also register a maiden name that can be used for the My Number Card system without having to also list their registered surname. Further discussion on the three bills will occur next week and requests for expert testimonies are also expected. The CDP currently chairs the committee and the party appears to be seeking a vote, a contrast to the LDP's current indecisiveness.
Daily Express
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Hoping women will be given bigger say
Published on: Monday, May 12, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 12, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Dr Pamela (left) giving double thumbs up to the public and volunteers. Kota Kinabalu: Wanita MCA Sec-Gen Chan Quin Er called for greater participation of women in policymaking, including in the imminent Sabah elections. She outlined 10 key reform demands, ranging from ending child marriage to strengthening protection against gender-based violence, and urged all to support the cause. She was speaking at an event to mark its 50th anniversary, themed 'Empower Family, Enrich Education.' It was jointly organised by the FSCWA, TAR UMT Sabah branch, and Wanita MCA Sabah. It coincided with the Happy Healthy Family Day 2025, held to mark Mother's Day and the International Day of Families. It was attended by some 500 people. Chan is also promoting Wanita MCA's nationwide CEDAW petition campaign in commemoration of Malaysia's 30-year ratification of the UN Convention. She said the family is the foundation, the community is our base and women are our strength. The event featured a wide range of health and wellness services, including cancer screenings, mental health consultations, eye examinations, HPV tests, and blood donation. Federation of Sabah Chinese Women Associations, President Datuk Dr Pamela Yong, said the event highlighted the importance of collaborative volunteerism and support from multiple sectors. 'When we come together, we don't just create events but create impact to change lives,' she said. Dr Pamela also emphasised the spirit of gotong-royong masyarakat and the power of community-driven impact. She praised Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister, Datuk James Ratib, for consistently supporting women and health-related initiatives, describing him as 'a rare leader who rises above politics and focuses on the wellbeing of the people.' * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Current And Former Commissioners Call For The Release Of Equal Pay Amendments' Human Rights Analysis
Press Release – Human Rights Commission Our parliamentary processes are in place to protect democratic participation rights and should not be circumvented, especially on an issue like this which has significant consequences for so many people. The Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner and three former EEO Commissioners are calling for the release of the human rights analysis of the controversial equal pay amendments. Saunoamaali'i Dr Karanina Sumeo, Dr Jackie Blue and Dame Judy McGregor say they support the current EEO Commissioner Professor Gail Pacheco's concerns that the legislative overhaul will make claims more difficult. Professor Pacheco is concerned about the halt in progress on 33 current claims and the lack of consultation. Earlier in the week, she made a statement that said: ' The significant savings to the Government will come from the pockets of women working in jobs that are undervalued. 'It's also concerning that the government is putting a stop to progress made to current claims that thousands of individuals have contributed to in good faith. Their hard work deserves to be respected, not undone. 'Our parliamentary processes are in place to protect democratic participation rights and should not be circumvented, especially on an issue like this which has significant consequences for so many people.' The Cabinet paper accompanying the legislation had blanked out the human rights implications in a redacted section. The former EEO Commissioners say that the public deserves to know the human rights consequences of the fast-tracked bill which was passed under urgency this week. 'The use of urgency locked out both women and members of the public to have input on critical legislation that impacts on their jobs, their livelihoods, their families and breaches their rights.' 'Pay equity obligations are specified in various legally binding United Nation conventions to which New Zealand is a signatory, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and in conventions on the rights of disabled people and racial discrimination. New Zealand has also signed up to International Labour Organization conventions on pay equity. 'As a country we regularly boast about being a human rights leader so we need to see how this could affect our reputation as well as how it affects women who deserve pay equity in good faith. 'The New Zealand Government has repeatedly promised the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that it was making steady progress on implementing equal pay and pay equity.' ' In its last report to CEDAW the Government boasted about the effectiveness of the legislation it has now overturned. Women are worried about the human rights implications of making it harder to get pay equity,' the former Commissioners say. The Ministry for Women told the CEDAW committee last year that the previous equal pay law had 'introduced a practical and accessible process to raise and consider claims of systemic sex-based pay undervaluation in female-dominated occupations.' The Ministry told CEDAW the changes had set out 'a clear pay equity process to test whether work that is predominantly done by women is free from sex-based undervaluation.' 'Now that this practical, accessible and clear pay equity process has been abandoned, we need to know how women's human rights will be protected. We need to see the advice that the Cabinet was given in the true spirit of transparency,' the former Commissioners say. ' Aotearoa New Zealand consistently tells the United Nations that it is proud of its leadership on gender equality in the international community. We now have to be honest that we are no longer first in class. We are alarmed that human rights implications were not disclosed or examined and regarded as insignificant.'
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Current And Former Commissioners Call For The Release Of Equal Pay Amendments' Human Rights Analysis
Press Release – Human Rights Commission Our parliamentary processes are in place to protect democratic participation rights and should not be circumvented, especially on an issue like this which has significant consequences for so many people. The Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner and three former EEO Commissioners are calling for the release of the human rights analysis of the controversial equal pay amendments. Saunoamaali'i Dr Karanina Sumeo, Dr Jackie Blue and Dame Judy McGregor say they support the current EEO Commissioner Professor Gail Pacheco's concerns that the legislative overhaul will make claims more difficult. Professor Pacheco is concerned about the halt in progress on 33 current claims and the lack of consultation. Earlier in the week, she made a statement that said: ' The significant savings to the Government will come from the pockets of women working in jobs that are undervalued. 'It's also concerning that the government is putting a stop to progress made to current claims that thousands of individuals have contributed to in good faith. Their hard work deserves to be respected, not undone. 'Our parliamentary processes are in place to protect democratic participation rights and should not be circumvented, especially on an issue like this which has significant consequences for so many people.' The Cabinet paper accompanying the legislation had blanked out the human rights implications in a redacted section. The former EEO Commissioners say that the public deserves to know the human rights consequences of the fast-tracked bill which was passed under urgency this week. 'The use of urgency locked out both women and members of the public to have input on critical legislation that impacts on their jobs, their livelihoods, their families and breaches their rights.' 'Pay equity obligations are specified in various legally binding United Nation conventions to which New Zealand is a signatory, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and in conventions on the rights of disabled people and racial discrimination. New Zealand has also signed up to International Labour Organization conventions on pay equity. 'As a country we regularly boast about being a human rights leader so we need to see how this could affect our reputation as well as how it affects women who deserve pay equity in good faith. 'The New Zealand Government has repeatedly promised the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that it was making steady progress on implementing equal pay and pay equity.' ' In its last report to CEDAW the Government boasted about the effectiveness of the legislation it has now overturned. Women are worried about the human rights implications of making it harder to get pay equity,' the former Commissioners say. The Ministry for Women told the CEDAW committee last year that the previous equal pay law had 'introduced a practical and accessible process to raise and consider claims of systemic sex-based pay undervaluation in female-dominated occupations.' The Ministry told CEDAW the changes had set out 'a clear pay equity process to test whether work that is predominantly done by women is free from sex-based undervaluation.' 'Now that this practical, accessible and clear pay equity process has been abandoned, we need to know how women's human rights will be protected. We need to see the advice that the Cabinet was given in the true spirit of transparency,' the former Commissioners say. ' Aotearoa New Zealand consistently tells the United Nations that it is proud of its leadership on gender equality in the international community. We now have to be honest that we are no longer first in class. We are alarmed that human rights implications were not disclosed or examined and regarded as insignificant.'
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Current And Former Commissioners Call For The Release Of Equal Pay Amendments' Human Rights Analysis
The Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner and three former EEO Commissioners are calling for the release of the human rights analysis of the controversial equal pay amendments. Saunoamaali'i Dr Karanina Sumeo, Dr Jackie Blue and Dame Judy McGregor say they support the current EEO Commissioner Professor Gail Pacheco's concerns that the legislative overhaul will make claims more difficult. Professor Pacheco is concerned about the halt in progress on 33 current claims and the lack of consultation. Earlier in the week, she made a statement that said: ' The significant savings to the Government will come from the pockets of women working in jobs that are undervalued. "It's also concerning that the government is putting a stop to progress made to current claims that thousands of individuals have contributed to in good faith. Their hard work deserves to be respected, not undone. 'Our parliamentary processes are in place to protect democratic participation rights and should not be circumvented, especially on an issue like this which has significant consequences for so many people.' The Cabinet paper accompanying the legislation had blanked out the human rights implications in a redacted section. The former EEO Commissioners say that the public deserves to know the human rights consequences of the fast-tracked bill which was passed under urgency this week. 'The use of urgency locked out both women and members of the public to have input on critical legislation that impacts on their jobs, their livelihoods, their families and breaches their rights.' 'Pay equity obligations are specified in various legally binding United Nation conventions to which New Zealand is a signatory, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and in conventions on the rights of disabled people and racial discrimination. New Zealand has also signed up to International Labour Organization conventions on pay equity. 'As a country we regularly boast about being a human rights leader so we need to see how this could affect our reputation as well as how it affects women who deserve pay equity in good faith. 'The New Zealand Government has repeatedly promised the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that it was making steady progress on implementing equal pay and pay equity.' ' In its last report to CEDAW the Government boasted about the effectiveness of the legislation it has now overturned. Women are worried about the human rights implications of making it harder to get pay equity,' the former Commissioners say. The Ministry for Women told the CEDAW committee last year that the previous equal pay law had 'introduced a practical and accessible process to raise and consider claims of systemic sex-based pay undervaluation in female-dominated occupations.' The Ministry told CEDAW the changes had set out 'a clear pay equity process to test whether work that is predominantly done by women is free from sex-based undervaluation.' 'Now that this practical, accessible and clear pay equity process has been abandoned, we need to know how women's human rights will be protected. We need to see the advice that the Cabinet was given in the true spirit of transparency,' the former Commissioners say. ' Aotearoa New Zealand consistently tells the United Nations that it is proud of its leadership on gender equality in the international community. We now have to be honest that we are no longer first in class. We are alarmed that human rights implications were not disclosed or examined and regarded as insignificant.'
