Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Dr Anna Cody, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, works to advance gender equality and end discrimination through law, advocacy, and education.
Summary
- Position
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Sex Discrimination Commissioner
- Term dates
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September 2023 - present
- Credentials
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PhD in Law from the University of New South Wales, awarded with ‘excellence’
Master's in Law from Harvard University
Bachelor of Arts and Law from UNSW
About Dr Anna Cody
Dr Anna Cody is an industry-leading human rights lawyer, renowned tertiary educator, academic, and passionate advocate for gender equality with an intersectional lens.
We are stronger, smarter, and more compassionate when every person is empowered to be who we are and given the opportunities to participate and thrive.
Experience
Dr Cody's career teaching Australia's future lawyers spans over 25 years. As Dean of Law at Western Sydney University for 4.5 years, she was committed to making an impact in reflecting community diversity and the intersection of law and justice. Through her work at the Kingsford Legal Centre for over 20 years, including as Director, she provided leadership in clinical legal education, discrimination law, and human rights.
Dr Cody has also worked with First Nations women in Alice Springs to establish a domestic violence service, been the Chair of Community Legal Centres Australia, and a Director of the NSW Legal Aid Commission Board and Advisory Committee of Law Access.
Her international work includes:
- human rights advocacy in Mexico, specialising in disability and migrant rights
- development work in East Timor and Indonesia
- working with the Centre for Economic and Social Rights in New York developing their health program with a focus on mining and human rights issues
- engaging with various United Nations human rights committees in country reviews of human rights obligations
- community legal education in El Salvador.
Education
Dr Cody has a PhD in Law from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), awarded with ‘excellence’, a Master's in Law from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts and Law from UNSW.
At the Commission
Dr Cody is passionate about improving gender equality in Australia and ensuring policy reflects the diverse needs of the community.
Her priorities include:
- working to eliminate violence against women
- strengthening women's economic security and opportunities in the workplace
- advocating for LGBTIQA+ rights.
Dr Cody is committed to hearing from those with lived experience and elevating the importance of intersectional approaches that recognise people in all their diversity.
At the Commission she leads high-profile security partnerships with the Australian Border Force, Defence and the Australian Federal Police.
Making sure that our society in Australia can stop violence against women and girls is a top priority.