Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the CEDAW Committee – 12 June 2018 31. The Commission is also concerned that there are currently no comprehensive coverage of workplace protections for employees who experience family and domestic violence (FDV).41 Women who experience FDV may face adverse treatment in the workplace that is specifically related to their experiences of violence. For example, they may be denied leave or flexible work arrangements to attend violence-related matters, such as moving into a shelter; they may have their employment terminated; or they may be transferred or demoted.42 This treatment can exacerbate the costs and consequences of FDV.43 Recommendation 9: That the Australian Government: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) 6 32. Implement targeted measures to reduce gender segregation in Australian workplaces.44 Implement targeted strategies to address the gender pay gap and women’s economic insecurity in retirement.45 Implement the relevant recommendations in the Supporting Working Parents: Pregnancy and Return to Work National Review Report.46 Provide for a minimum period of government-funded paid parental leave of 26 weeks, and an additional minimum of four weeks paid leave, which may only be taken by the supporting parent. Provide superannuation entitlements as part of paid parental leave. Consider removing the 12 month qualifying period for parental leave, and allow for greater flexibility in how and when to take the paid leave. Commit to funding future editions of the ABS Time Use study, to collect accurate data concerning the extent and distribution of unpaid work and its intersection with paid work. Include family and domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards and modern awards. Recognise family and domestic violence as a protected attribute within existing anti-discrimination legislation and federal employment laws. Discrimination faced by Muslim women (CEDAW articles 1–3, LOI 4) Australian research has continued to find that Muslim women are frequent targets of bigotry and discrimination because of their visibility, particularly with the Islamic headscarf. They are particularly vulnerable when unaccompanied, with children, or pregnant at the time of the incident.47 Recommendation 10: That the Australian Government take steps to safeguard the rights of Muslim women and to eliminate the particular discrimination that they face. 7 33. Women in rural, regional and remote areas (CEDAW article 14) National consultations by Sex Discrimination Commissioner in 2016 identified that women living in rural, regional and remote Australia experience negative and discriminatory gender-based stereotypes and attitudes.48 They also 8