Dar es Salaam: To mark the United Nations International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women, British International
Ministerial Champion and Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone said:
“Violence against women and girls is a global problem that affects
every country. Around the world one in three women and girls has been
beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime, a truly shocking statistic.
“Tackling such violence needs to be high on the international agenda
and a priority for individual countries. That’s why the UK government
has taken a range of action aimed at preventing violence and providing
more support for victims as part of a comprehensive strategy ‘A Call
to End Violence Against Women and Girls’.
“We have strengthened the law to protect victims of domestic violence
and are consulting on further changes. We are working to increase
convictions for rape by ensuring every report of rape is treated
seriously, every victim is treated with dignity and every
investigation and prosecution conducted thoroughly and professionally.
We are protecting and supporting those facing forced marriage and
will be consulting on whether to make forced marriage a criminal
offence. And we are tackling negative attitudes to girls and women to
prevent violence from occurring in the first place.
“I will continue to use my role as the UK’s international ministerial
champion to raise the voices of women and girls, at home and abroad.
We all need to speak out against violence against women, not just
today but every day of the year.”