This week we have received letters from Nicky Morgan and Gloria De Piero, Minister and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities respectively, in response to a UNA-UK letter calling on the UK to be a champion for women's rights at the UN. The letter stated that:
Gender inequality continues to blight the lives of women around the world. Indeed, by the Government’s own admission, the issue is still prevalent in this country, as it is in every country. Political gains made at the global level have been hard won, slow to achieve and inconsistently applied.
It is therefore vital that, whatever the outcome of May’s general election, women worldwide can count on the UK to take a strategic, coherent and persistent approach to these issues at the UN, this year and beyond. Women’s rights and gender equality are not the preserve of any one political party but should be a priority for all.
In response, Nicky Morgan said:
This Government is committed to protecting and progressing the human rights, empowerment and equality of all women and girls. Increasing women's economic participation, ending violence and discrimination against women and girls, and ensuring women are involved in decision making at all levels are priorities for this government.
Gloria De Piero's letter stated:
Labour’s vision for Britain is based on the fundamental principle that our success relies on everyone having the means and opportunity to fulfill their potential and play their full part in society. The empowerment of women and girls, and eradication of the structural and social barriers that continue to hold women back are goals central to this principle.
Commission on the Status of Women
As UNA-UK's campaign got underway, two of our supporters were in attendance at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) - the UN's primary forum for promoting gender equality. Click here for the report from Sally Spear, Vice-Chair of the UNA Women's Advisory Council, and click here for Jane Tatchell's appraisal of the conference.
Click here for a summary of CSW's outcomes.
Taking to Twitter for women's rights
Last month we asked you to 'Take to Twitter' for International Women's Day, joining the UN's call for states to "step it up" in the fight against gender inequality. Nearly 100 of you responded, tweeting your concerns to Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equalities, and sharing the campaign with thousands of others online:
[<a href="//storify.com/UNAUK/international-women-s-day-2015" target="_blank">View the story "International Women's Day 2015" on Storify</a>]
