Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the CEDAW Committee – 12 June 2018 experience a gender gap in leadership, access to services, economic security and education; and higher rates of violence, sexual harassment and sexism.49 Recommendation 11: That the Australian Government examine strategies to address the particular discrimination faced by women in rural, regional and remote areas, specifically in the areas of violence against women and sexual harassment, and barriers to economic security. 8 Older women and homelessness (LOI 16, CEDAW articles 1 and 11) 34. The Commission’s Willing to Work National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination against Older Australians and Australians with Disability (Willing to Work Report)50 found that, while labour force participation for older people has been growing in recent years, particularly for older women, labour force participation continues to decline with age.51 Older, single women are increasingly vulnerable to housing stress, insecurity and homelessness.52 35. The Commission is also concerned about elder abuse, which can include psychological/emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse; financial abuse; and neglect.53 Women, along with a number of other vulnerable groups, have heightened vulnerability to elder abuse.54 36. The Commission welcomes the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) report Elder Abuse—A National Legal Response,55 as well as the Government’s commitment to developing a national plan to better protect the rights of older Australians.56 Recommendation 12: That the Australian Government implement all of the recommendations of the Willing to Work Report. Recommendation 13: That the Australian Government implement all of the recommendations of the ALRC’s report on Elder Abuse, including the development of a national plan to tackle elder abuse. 9 Human trafficking and modern slavery (CO 30–31, LOI 12, CEDAW article 6) 37. The Commission commends the Government’s development of a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery 2015–201957 and supporting initiatives.58 38. The Commission supports the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons,59 that the Australian Government establish a federal, comprehensive compensation scheme for survivors of trafficking. 60 39. The Commission also notes that unregulated international surrogacy arrangements raise concerns about the potential for the trafficking of women and children.61 9