The issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been declared a “global emergency” and is now a separate priority for the Foreign Office, according to an announcement by Yvette Cooper.
The Foreign Secretary stated that this change is designed to address the increasing instances of conflict-related sexual violence, online harms, and systemic abuse that are still prevalent worldwide.
During the celebration of International Women’s Day, the Foreign Secretary emphasized that one out of every three women globally will encounter sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.
Ms. Cooper also cautioned about the escalating trend of technology-enabled and online violence on a significant scale. She stressed that the number of women residing in or near conflict zones has nearly doubled in the past 15 years and highlighted the dire situation in Sudan. She emphasized the importance of making women and girls a top priority in foreign policy to ensure peace, security, and prosperity.
Last year, the government announced the most extensive crackdown on VAWG in British history. The Labour Party, upon assuming power, committed to reducing cases by half within a decade. Their strategy includes a £1 billion funding allocation to assist victims, enhanced support for survivors, measures to address misogyny in educational institutions, and increased authority for law enforcement and the judiciary to handle offenders.
Recently, the Foreign Secretary disclosed £20 million in new UK funding during a visit to Chad to aid survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in accessing medical and psychological support in Sudan.
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