Failing women at home and abroad

This article is written by Seema Malhotra MP and Gavin Shuker MP

Tomorrow marks the end of 16 days of activism against Gender Violence. All around the world women and men are speaking out against this epidemic of violence. But here in the UK, the actions of the Tory-led government are making it harder, not easier, to tackle.

At home, we are seeing a growing justice gap with rising levels of reported rape and domestic violence and lower levels of prosecutions. Refuges continue to close across the country and some areas now have no refuge provision at all. We know local authorities are struggling to provide women who have left abusive relationships with the basic amenities they need to start a new life, including bedding and school shoes.

Research shows that all regions have lost services supporting children living with domestic abuse, despite these children often being at high risk of abuse themselves. A number of these issues are being addressed in Labour’s Women’s Safety Commission report being launched this week. Last year the End Violence against Women Coalition’s “Deeds or Words” report gave the Government an overall score of action on prevention of violence as 2.4 out of 10.

But this Government is failing abroad too. Support for women’s right’s organisations is one of the seven key principles underlying the Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) Theory of Change on Tackling Gender Violence, describing them as the most effective mechanism for ensuring sustainable change in the lives of women and girls. Yet a recent DFID mapping confirmed that only 18% of programmes they fund are working with and building the capacity of women’s organisations.

It’s not just about funding; it’s about impact – and here their prevention strategy really is failing. Justine Greening has stated that violence against women and girls is at the heart of her approach to international development – but for too long they have focussed on responding to individual acts of violence rather than the prevention of violence at root.

Much more focus on addressing the pervasive inequalities that serve as a breeding ground for aggression is needed. Women earn less, learn less and are all-too-often valued as less than men – allowing a culture of violence to ulcerate and fester in virtually every country worldwide.

A recent three-year-review of the Department for International Development’s strategic vision highlighted deep failings.

Out of a targeted 4.5million women enjoying improved rights to land and property (due to be met next year) just 739,000 women have been supported to become more financially independent – less than one sixth.

And of a target of 10 million women using “modern contraception” – fewer than half have actually been reached. For the quarter of a billion women who don’t have access to the high-quality information, services and supplies they need, this barrier can be life-changing.

The disconnect between commitment and delivery is telling. Just as worrying, it appears that the rights of women worldwide appear to have become the latest pawn in the bitter divisions facing the Tory party. The passing of last Friday’s Bill – that commits the UK to spend 0.7% of our national income on aid – was nearly wrecked by Tory backbenchers. It was only with Labour Party support that the Bill was able to pass.

Seema Malhotra is Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls in Labour’s Home Office Team. Gavin Shuker is Shadow Minister for Gender Equality in Labour’s International Development Team.