TAKE OUR POLL: What should the new government prioritise in the coming months?
Dear John,
It’s been one month since the Labour Party’s landmark election win in the UK. Sir Keir Starmer, and his enthusiasm for a ‘national renewal’, is now at the helm of the country as Prime Minister.
Womankind has welcomed several developments. Women’s political participation hit record highs, with the most female cabinet members ever and 40% of MPs now women. The controversial Rwanda Asylum law, which threatened thousands of women and girls, has been scrapped. The government has called for animmediate ceasefire in Gaza. And, a new pathway has been opened for Afghans granted asylum during the 2021 evacuations to reunite with their families.
While the Labour government’s election manifesto was supportive of feminism and women’s rights, here are four ways we feel more can be done to champion a feminist future:
1. Foster inclusion over division
It has been a troubling time in the UK as violent riots recently erupted across the country. The government must show leadership by taking a zero-tolerance stand on far-right extremism. They must address the core roots of the racism that has seen attacks on people based on the colour of their skin, religion or perceived country of origin or immigration status. (Read Womankind’s statement on the recent violence here)
2. Restore the foreign aid budget
We are pleased the manifesto highlights the need to restore the aid budget to 0.7% of the UK’s gross national income and ask for this to happen quickly. The 2020 aid cut devastated women’s rights in marginalized Global South communities. The government should urgently restore the aid budget to continue tackling global injustice and inequality.
We call on the government to renew the UK’s commitment to women’s economic rights. The unpaid care work crisis, gender pay gap, unjust global policies on tax and debt, and abuses and violations committed by corporations continue to expose women to poverty and undermine their equal participation in the global economy.
Which of these areas would you like to see prioritised by the new government? Share your thoughts in our poll.
We need a fresh commitment from this new government that they’re ready to tackle the systemic barriers that hold women and girls back. Legislative changes, societal shifts, and international action are all within their influence.
A just and equitable futurefor all should be top of the agenda.
With best wishes,
Jill Anami
Policy and Advocacy Officer Womankind Worldwide
Header image: (L-R) Horia Mosadiq [Afghan human rights defender, core member of Womankind partner Women’s Regional Network] and Shyleen Momanyi [feminist leader, Executive Director of Womankind partner Young Women’s Leadership Institute in Kenya]
