Political opinion with Alison Bennett MP: Protecting progress for girls globally

It was great to welcome girls from Hurstpierpoint College to Parliament this week for International Women’s Day and chat to them about being a woman in politics. It was encouraging to see so many of them with an interest in politics and a passion for speaking up about issues that are important to them. We all have a responsibility to push for equality both in the UK, but also across the world.

That is why I was fortunate to attend the ‘Protect Progress’ an event hosted by humanitarian charity Care International last week. It was a chance to listen to brilliant three guest speakers from Malawi, Bangladesh and Palestine who spoke about the challenges they are facing in their fight for women’s equality. They reflected on the progress that has been made over the past few decades, with more girls are going to school than ever, fewer women dying during childbirth and more women taking on leadership roles in sectors which were unreachable to them before.

However, they also reminded us that there is still so much left to do. In many parts of the world, women and girls are facing growing challenges. Gender-based violence is still far too common and, in some places, women’s rights are being rolled back. There are also new barriers stopping women from taking part in politics and public life. At the same time, funding that helps support women and girls around the world is being cut.

International aid programmes help provide education for girls, healthcare for mothers, and protection for women facing violence. They also help women start businesses and support their families. Campaigners are warning that these cuts to funding could undo years of progress. That is why many organisations are asking the government to protect these programmes.

The UK has a proud history of helping people around the world through development and aid. Continuing this work is not only the right thing to do, but it also helps create a safer and more stable world for everyone. With a global situation that is becoming increasingly unreliable, this is more important than ever.

The students I met in Parliament showed just how much the next generation cares about fairness and equality. We must make sure that progress is protected for everyone.