Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kate Nash, Samantha Morton, Stella McCartney, Tamzin Outhwaite, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Zoe Wanamaker have signed a letter calling all UK parties to commit to making ending violence against women a foreign policy priority.
The full text of the letter reads:
Violence affects one in three women globally and is a leading cause of death and disability among women of all ages.
It affects the health of mothers and their children with one in four pregnant mothers worldwide subjected to violence. It limits girls’ access to education and increases the vulnerability of women to HIV and AIDS. Violence against women is frequently a deliberate tactic of war and in peacetime violence often increases against women as they move further into politics and public life.
Violence undermines many of the things we take for granted in the UK. Yet it is an issue which is often ignored or sidelined. Other countries have shown new commitment to ending violence against women internationally. This year, the United States introduced a new Act and a new ambassador.
The UK has taken an important first step with the introduction of a new ministerial post to lead on global violence against women and girls. This new role will work with the government departments which deliver the UK’s foreign policy. However, this post needs to become a permanent fixture of the UK government with adequate resources to make a real difference for women.
We, the under-signed, support ActionAid UK’s campaign to make ending violence against women a foreign policy priority.
All of the political parties have said they are serious about tackling violence against women internationally but words must be backed up with action. Any incoming government must commit to making a Minister on international violence against women and girls a permanent fixture of the UK government.
We, the under-signed, will be watching and we trust the incoming UK government is as committed to ending violence against women globally as we are.
Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kate Nash, Samantha Morton, Stella McCartney, Tamzin Outhwaite, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Zoe Wanamaker.
Destined to fail? Find out why violence against women is undoing development.
photo : ©Jenny Matthews/ActionAid