Government must prioritise gender equality and restore a dedicated Secretary of State for Women and Equalities

We extend our thanks to Anneliese Dodds MP for her unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality, both as Minister for Women and Equalities and as Shadow Secretary of State when in Opposition.

 We share her concerns about the Government decision to cut overseas aid funding, which will have a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.

As outlined in our recent briefing on Embedding Gender Equality Across Government, it is crucial that gender equality is not sidelined, especially in times of crisis. Women’s voices must be heard and their interests represented at the heart of government. This is not just a moral imperative but also an economic and legal one. Failing to take account of equalities in policy delivery and design can lead to negative unintended consequences, ineffective policies, and potential breaches of equalities law.

We continue to call for a dedicated Secretary of State for Women and Equalities – as committed to in Labour’s manifesto – to ensure that gender equality is central to government policymaking and that its impact is felt across all areas of governance.

We stand at a crucial turning point in history. Now more than ever we must protect the rights of women and marginalised communities.