Press Release
8 March 2007
Benn calls for end to tide of violence against women
Hilary Benn, International Development Secretary, today called for an end to
violence against women.
Speaking ahead of 'Women’s Rights in the Age of Insecurity' the ActionAid and One
World Action panel discussion today, Hilary Benn said:
“It is unbelievable that domestic violence, being beaten and abused in the
place where you should feel safest – your own home - kills and injures more
people every year in the developing world than war or cancer or traffic
accidents.
“Rape and forced pregnancy have become weapons of war, and more than 100
million women and girls have been subjected to genital mutilation, with more
than 3 million more each year suffering this barbaric practice.
“As always, it is the vulnerable and poorest that suffer the most. Ending
these appalling violations of the human rights of women and girls is fundamental
to successful peace and development.
“One thing we can do now, that would have the longest and most lasting effect
on development, would be an immediate halt to all forms of violence against
women.”
DFID has taken a lead in promoting progressive action on protecting and
promoting human rights, gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights and
violence against women, but much still needs to be done.
The department is focusing on bringing gender equality into the heart of its
development work, including:
- the new Governance and Transparency Fund, designed to build
accountability in developing countries
- the conflict policy paper, due to be published shortly, that will
put more emphasis on the vital role women play in preventing conflict
and securing peace
- in discussions with partner governments
- helping women have fair opportunities in trade and employment
through micro-credit and trade programmes, and
- in the new Country Governance Analysis reports and human rights
assessments.
DFID is also launching a new publication today,
Gender equality – at the heart
of development (1.47
mb), that sets out what DFID does and will do to tackle discrimination and
promote free, fair and equal treatment for women and girls in the developing
world.
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Notes to editors
1. DFID’s new publication, 'Gender Equality – at the heart of development'
showcases the range of the department’s work that has put women’s rights and
freedoms at its heart, illustrating the impact that focusing on gender equality
can have in development.
2. Hilary Benn is taking part in a panel discussion, 'Women’s Rights in the
Age of Insecurity' organised by ActionAid and One World Action on Thursday 8
March, between 6-9pm at The Library, Central Hall Westminster. The discussion
will be chaired by Channel 4's Samira Ahmed.
For further information, call: 020 7023 0600, e-mail
pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our
Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
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International
Women's Day 2007