Managing the mandate: How Australia handles the UN SRVAWG as a diplomatic inconvenience

Emma and Amber look at how the Australian Government has chosen to ‘manage the mandate’ of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, rather than engage squarely with her warnings about Tickle v Giggle, CEDAW, sex‑based protections and rights, and female‑only spaces. Drawing on FOI documents and internal briefings, they trace the pattern from ‘courtesy letters’ that never get answered, to decisions not to submit evidence, to closed‑door efforts to neutralise a UN expert whose work does not ‘conform with our views’ – and ask what this means for women who rely on robust international mechanisms when domestic systems fail us.This podcast provides general information and opinion only and does not constitute legal advice. Listeners should seek independent, professional legal advice before acting on any matters discussed. The hosts and AAWAA accept no liability for decisions made based on this content.