Australian Human Rights Commission Information for List of Issues on Australia, 29 September 2017 Issues for consideration in the LOI:  Information on steps taken to safeguard the rights of Muslim women and to eliminate the particular discrimination that they face. 6 Women in rural, regional and remote areas (CEDAW Article 14) 29. In 2016 the Sex Discrimination Commissioner heard from Australian women in consultations conducted across the country.39 The experiences of women living in rural, regional and remote Australia highlighted that negative and discriminatory gender–based stereotypes and attitudes are amplified for women living in these communities.40 There was also a clear gender gap in leadership, economic security and education; and higher rates of violence, sexual harassment and sexism towards women in rural, regional and remote areas.41 Issues for consideration in the LOI:  7 Information on initiatives 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 strategies to address economic insecurity. Older women and homelessness (CEDAW Articles 1 and 11) 30. The Commission’s Willing to Work National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination against Older Australians and Australians with Disability (Willing to Work Report)42 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.43 31. To date, there has been no formal Government response to the Willing to Work Report and no Government-led action plan to implement its recommendations. 32. The Commission notes that older, single women are increasingly vulnerable to housing stress, insecurity and homelessness.44 The Age Discrimination Commissioner has identified the issue of homelessness among older women as a key priority, acknowledging that this is a growing issue and one that extends across all socio-economic status groups.45 33. The Commission is also concerned about elder abuse, which can include psychological/emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse; financial abuse; and neglect.46 Women, along with a number of other vulnerable groups, have heightened vulnerability to elder abuse.47 34. The Commission welcomes the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) report Elder Abuse—A National Legal Response48 and other relevant independent and government-funded studies,49 as well as the Government’s 8