This inquiry was requested by the Federal Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, who asked the Committee to inquire into the rights of women and children.

The terms of reference contained in the Minister’s referral were:

• understanding the treatment of women and children internationally and the impact of this treatment on their human rights;
• the adequacy of support services, including legal services, available to affected women and children;
• the disproportionate impact on women's education and social inclusion created by global disruptions such as COVID, climate change, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict; and
• any related matters.

The report is divided into four chapters:

• Chapter 1 details the background, context and conduct of the inquiry;
• Chapter 2 provides a ‘snapshot in time’ of women and children’s rights in 2023, detailing evidence in relation to the current challenges and issues globally and domestically;
• Chapter 3 examines specific issues in further detail which are considered to be key areas requiring policy development; and
• Chapter 4 sets out a roadmap in relation to policy development within the context of addressing the human rights of women and children.