3
(8)
In
the
United
Kingdom, even before the ratification of CEDAW, there were already legislative provisions on elimination of discrimination against women, applicable to both the public and private
which were
sectors.
value.
The Sex Discrimination Act makes discrimination
between men and women, on grounds of sex or marriage, unlawful in employment, education, training and the provisions of housing, goods, facilities and services. Discriminatory job recruitment advertisements are also
unlawful. Under the Equal Pay Act, women in Great Britain are entitled to equal pay with men when doing work that is the same or broadly similar, or work which is of equal A number of special agencies are involved in the
of these various legislative provisions and
the removal of sex discrimination. The
Equal Opportunities Commission, for example, has powers to enforce some parts of the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Acts. In spite of its sex discrimination legislation, the still found it necessary to enter an extensive series of reservations, statements and interpretive declarations when
it ratified CEDAW.
These covered matters such as
administration
the
UK
promotion of
immigration, nationality, employment, social security, taxation, adoption and custody of children.
(9)
In Australia, the major action taken to implement
the Convention was the enactment of the Sex Discrimination
Act in 1984.
The Act proscribes discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status or pregnancy in the areas of employment, education, accommodation, the provision of
goods, facilities and services, and the disposal of land
etc.
contains provisions prohibiting
It
discrimination
and education.
also
involving sexual
harassment in employment
A mechanism is provided in the Act for
individuals and groups to seek legal redress for discriminatory practices. Complaints of discrimination may
be made to the Human Rights Commission which can determine
that complainants be awarded monetary damages or given
other remedies appropriate to their situation.
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