Blair to lead Labour policy group

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

…Cherie that is. According to the BBC, the barrister and judge will work under Harriet Harman on a group that will seek to find solution for improving the lives of women in the developing world, in an announcement that comes ahead of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day.

Speaking today, Blair said:

“Women are the drivers of change across the world. They are far more likely than men to invest their incomes back into their families – helping to drive up better health standards and educational opportunities for their children, which in turn benefits the wider community.”

“That’s why working for the economic independence of women is vital to the fight against global poverty. But there are so many barriers faced by women and girls in the developing world that they are often unable to participate in economic or political life and struggle to get access to healthcare and education for themselves, let alone their families.”

“We need to look afresh at how countries like the UK, through their development efforts, can help make a real difference to the status and power of women in the developing world.”