Violence against Women and Girls

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall am 4:00 pm ar 12 Hydref 2011.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Caroline Lucas Caroline Lucas Leader of the Green Party 4:00, 12 Hydref 2011

The hon. Member is absolutely right to point to the guardianship programme as a concrete measure that we could take to show exactly that kind of international leadership. That would make a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable people coming into our communities. I very much support the proposal, and the work that she has been doing on it.

I was talking about the Minister’s role as the overseas champion, and I wonder if she can tell us what her priorities for that role will be over the coming year. Can she confirm whether she has a budget with which to carry out her responsibilities?

I am mindful that I have asked the Minister a number of questions, so I will wind up now. Making our schools safer for girls, enabling young men to challenge their peers, changing attitudes that blame women for violence, and ensuring that the equalities team’s work is underscored by the policies of other Departments, are all things that would make a genuine difference to the lives of women and girls here in Britain and around the world. The old adage that prevention is better than cure may well be familiar, but in this case it rings particularly true.