Tag: Reem Alsalem
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Surrogacy in Tasmania and the National Push for Abolition: Our Voice in the ALRC Review
Tasmania’s Surrogacy Act 2012 was designed with the best interests of the child in mind. It permits only altruistic (non-commercial) gestational surrogacy, requires written agreements, judicial oversight through parentage orders, and residency rules for both surrogates and intended parents. Yet even this tightly regulated framework cannot eliminate the inherent risks of physical, psychological and economic…
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United Nations demands answers over suspension of Queensland gender clinic whistleblower
Opinion by Des Houghton The United Nations has demanded Queensland’s Premier explain child safety measures at a hospital gender clinic after a psychiatrist’s controversial suspension, writes Des Houghton. It is time for the Queensland Government to admit that the sacking of child psychiatrist Jillian Spencer by Queensland Health was gut-wrenching injustice. Her “crime” was to…
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Australia’s Quiet Pushback Against a UN Expert Defending Women’s Sex-Based Rights
In late 2025, Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosures revealed a deeply troubling episode: senior Australian officials quietly attempted to undermine Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. Rather than publicly contesting her views, elements within the Australian government—including the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and the Department of Foreign Affairs and…
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Why Did the ABC Ignore the FOI Story Involving Dr Anna Cody and UN Rapporteur Reem Alsalem? – Letter to ABC Ombudsman
Excellent complaint to the ABC from Anthony Johnsen over their failure to cover Anna Cody’s covert campaign to block reappointment of Reem Alsalem To the ABC Ombudsman, Recently, The Australian newspaper obtained documents under freedom of information laws in which Dr Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, queried whether influence could be used to block…
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Transgender breastfeeding case sparks UN expert alert
UN’s top expert on violence against women has warned males ‘continue to be males’ regardless of gender identity amid an explosive Australian trans breastfeeding case. Males “continue to be males” no matter how they identify by gender, the UN’s top expert on violence against women has warned, as she entered the polarising debate on trans…
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Analysis of the UN Report by Reem Alsalem titled The different manifestations of Violence against Women and Girls in the context of Surrogacy (A/80/158)
The report investigates the practice of surrogacy and its implications for the human rights of women and girls, with a focus on the risks of violence, exploitation, and commodification. Surrogacy, particularly in its commercial form, is framed as part of a global industry that thrives on gender inequality, economic vulnerability, and demand from wealthier individuals…
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Analysis of the UN Report by Reem Alsalem titled Sex-Based Violence Against Women and Girls: New Frontiers and Emerging Issues (A/HRC/59/47)
Purpose of the Report The report examines new and evolving forms of sex-based violence against women and girls that remain underrecognized. It reaffirms the biological reality of sex as central to understanding female oppression and urges States to protect women’s sex-based rights, especially amid rising gender identity ideologies. Key Issues Identified International Legal Context Key…
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New UN Report Affirms Why Women’s Sport Must Remain Female-Only
Women Speak Tasmania has called on the Tasmanian Government to urgently address the growing impact of sex self-identification laws on women’s sport. Our concerns are backed by the latest report from Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, who has raised serious warnings about the erosion of safety and…
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The Impacts of Sex Self-ID on Women’s Sports in Tasmania – Letter to Nic Street
Dear Minister Nicholas Street, Re: Request for meeting to discuss the recently released Report by Reem Alsalem United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls in sport Women Speak Tasmania is an organization advocating for women’s sex based rights. We have received complaints about trans-identified males taking the place of women in 5…
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Call on Minister to act on UN Special Rapporteur Report on Women’s Sport
Women Speak Tasmania have called on the Minister for Sport to take action following UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls Reem Alsalem’s report on women’s sports. With consideration to Algerian professional boxer Imane Khelif Olympics boxing fiasco and numerous other cases of trans-identified males competing in women’s sports, Reem Alsalem has stated…