International Women’s Day

Noted that over 60 people wish to participate in the debate, set a time limit of three minutes for speeches.

Expressed anger and fear among women due to daily threat of male violence, criticised criminal justice system's failure to protect women and blame them instead of men. Called for action in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to banish culture of male excuses from the criminal justice system.

Women's issues cannot be addressed in isolation; inequality, poverty and abuse persist. When policies like the Budget do not implement a real living wage, it disproportionately affects women who are already more likely to work part-time and less confident about job security.

The UK's global leadership in combating abuse against women must be maintained. The aid budget has helped reduce horrific crimes such as breast ironing, FGM, and forced marriage. There is a concern about the commitment to overseas aid under current policies.

As the first female MP for Neath, I am proud of women like Gwenda Thomas, Renowned soprano Katherine Jenkins, and sport pioneers like Tesni Evans. Women are active in various fields and continue to fight for equality.

Discussed the impact of the pandemic on women, highlighting that only 9% of working-class women can work from home and noting increased job loss among women. Emphasised the importance of flexible working and called for government support to address these challenges.

Acknowledged progress in equality but emphasised that more needs to be done, especially regarding domestic violence and safety. Highlighted the need for people to feel safe at work and in their personal lives, urging everyone to challenge behaviors leading to violence or insecurity.

Lia Nici reflected on the support from men in her career and paid tribute to her grandmother and mother, who were trailblazers during World War II and the late 1950s respectively. She highlighted their influence and thanked all those who continue to support women's advancement.

Kirsty Blackman discussed the ongoing inequality faced by women, especially younger women, ethnic minority women, bisexual and trans women, and disabled women. She emphasised the need to consider intersectionality and advocated for a social security system that respects dignity and amplifies marginalised voices.

Nusrat Ghani congratulated other MPs on their contributions and highlighted the need to celebrate phenomenal women like Helen Taylor-Thompson, a Special Operations Executive worker who later established a hospice for AIDS patients. She also mentioned local healthcare workers such as Charlotte Luck and Dr Susie Padgham for their vaccine rollout efforts.

International Women’s Day is marked by concerns about women's safety, the impact of public figures on trust issues, and the need for legislative actions such as passing the Domestic Abuse Bill. Wendy also highlights the importance of inclusivity in discussions around violence against women.

Acknowledging the progress made towards gender equality, Bernard emphasises the need for more women to be involved in decision-making processes due to their different life experiences. He calls for a political settlement that ensures recognition of these differences.

Rosie addresses the collective frustration and anger among women over persistent violence against them, highlighted by recent events such as Sarah Everard's case. She calls for a reassessment of societal norms and institutions to address misogyny and violence.

Trott emphasised the rare but devastating cases of violence against women, citing a recent report by UN Women UK that shows nearly all women have experienced sexual harassment. She supported the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which aims to extend minimum sentences for sexual offenders, while also urging further action on police harassment and prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Butler highlighted that a woman is killed every three days in the UK. She criticised societal inequality and power imbalances, particularly mentioning a recent incident involving Sarah Everard where the suspect was a police officer.

Fellows challenged the treatment of women who do not share her privilege and highlighted issues such as pregnancy discrimination during the pandemic. She also cited a UN Women UK survey showing over 70% of UK women have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

Coutinho discussed the representation of women as heroes and the progress made towards gender equality. She emphasised the need for more funding to address domestic abuse and violence against women, welcoming the Domestic Abuse Bill and upcoming strategy.

Yasin highlighted the retraumatisation of women in immigration detention centres. He criticised the Home Office's decision to open a new removal centre for women despite low numbers of women being detained under immigration powers.

Mitchell discusses the impact of poverty on women globally, highlighting the importance of educating girls as a key strategy. He warns against significant cuts in aid spending and emphasises the need for a parliamentary vote to uphold Britain's commitment to international development.

Bruce highlights the discrimination and violence faced by women worldwide, particularly those suffering from religious persecution. She draws attention to specific cases such as forced marriage in Pakistan, human trafficking in China, and sexual abuse by Boko Haram in Nigeria. She praises efforts taken by the UK Government but calls for more action.

Siddiq uses the story of Gabriella Ratcliffe to illustrate the global injustice faced by women, particularly in cases like that of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. She criticises diplomatic negotiations that use women's freedom as bargaining chips and calls for true equality between men and women.

Edwards celebrates the strength and resilience of women, highlighting their sacrifices during the pandemic. She shares stories of local volunteers like Hetvi Parekh, Nicola Brindley, Farah Jamil, and Jill Mathers who have provided essential support to communities through various initiatives.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate women's achievements, address the ongoing struggle for equality, and challenge gender bias. The speaker highlighted severe human rights abuses faced by Uyghur women in China, including forced sterilisation, sexual violence, and torture, urging the Government to take decisive action like imposing sanctions. He also discussed the plight of women in Kashmir under military occupation, emphasising the need for sustainable peace through non-military means. The speaker stressed that Global Britain should lead efforts in protecting and empowering women globally despite recent aid cuts.

The speaker acknowledged the progress made towards gender equality but highlighted persistent barriers such as online abuse, which disproportionately affects women politicians. She called for more action to address this issue, urging everyone in society to condemn abusive comments and to support those who face hate on social media. The speaker emphasised that tackling online abuse is crucial if we want a truly representative democracy.

The speaker underscored the importance of addressing gender inequality exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting global statistics on poverty and education. She criticised the Government's decision to cut aid from 0.7% to 0.5%, stressing that this move endangers women in difficult circumstances worldwide. The speaker called for a reversal of these cuts and engagement with communities and civil society to better understand and address structural inequalities.

The speaker addressed the challenges faced by Christian women around the world, who are often attacked because of both their gender and religion. She welcomed Libya's appointment of its first female Foreign Minister but stressed that the ability to challenge for leadership roles often depends on birth or nationality. The speaker advocated using foreign aid to empower women through technology, education, business, and leadership, calling for more effective use of technology to combat gender inequality.

Women in my community have been shaken by the abduction of Sarah Everard. The incident has highlighted issues of safety for women, emphasising that being safe at night should be a fundamental right. I am calling to challenge victim shaming and intersectional feminism, addressing how racism intersects with gender violence and advocating for black maternal health rights.

The UK is committed to the 17 sustainable development goals that aim to improve women's lives. I am calling on the Government to review progress on these goals, especially given the recent cut in foreign aid which could affect global efforts to combat poverty, violence against women, and other injustices.

I am celebrating various women in my constituency who have contributed greatly during the pandemic. The debate also addresses challenges such as domestic violence which has increased due to lockdowns, advocating for investment in sectors predominantly employing women, transparency on policy impacts on women, especially BAME women, and targeted support post-pandemic.

Recent progress in empowering women through choices and freedoms should be celebrated. However, the focus has become narrow, reducing choice for many working mothers who would prefer to spend more time with their children if they could afford it due to tax penalties on single-earner families.

In a debate to mark International Women’s Day, Joanna Cherry emphasised that acknowledging the differences between men and women is crucial in addressing male violence against women. She cited research from the Femicide Census indicating consistent levels of femicide since 2009 and highlighted systemic issues such as lack of funding and data transparency.

Britcliffe shared her personal experiences of sexism, abuse, and threats she has faced since being elected just over a year ago. She noted that these experiences are not unique to her but are widespread among women in politics and other industries. Britcliffe highlighted the importance of speaking up about such issues despite the risks.

Harris celebrated the achievements of several women she admires, including Melissa Rice for her book on overcoming addiction, Sali Hughes and Jo Jones for their work with Beauty Banks to combat hygiene poverty. She encouraged all women to be strong, determined, and supportive.

Doyle-Price emphasised the need for safe spaces for women due to the reality of daily objectification and sexual harassment. She raised concerns about lenient sentences in cases of domestic abuse, citing Ruth Williams' case as an example.

My thoughts are with Sarah Everard and her family. The debate should celebrate women's rights but also address the brutal persecution of Uyghur Muslim women in China, including forced sterilization, abortions, and systematic rape. I call on the Government to impose sanctions and declare it as genocide. Women are also persecuted for their faith and religious practices. Restoring overseas aid to 0.7% would greatly benefit those suffering around the world.

I echo sadness over Sarah Everard's tragic death. Since entering politics, I have seen significant progress for women, including more representation in various fields and landmark legislations like the Equality Act 2010 and the Domestic Abuse Bill. However, there are still double standards: a female worker is often questioned about balancing work and home life, while men are considered leaders without similar scrutiny.

I thank the inspiring women of Newport, including key workers during the pandemic. Research by Chwarae Teg shows that women, especially young ones in retail and hospitality, have been disproportionately affected by sector shutdowns and unemployment. Pregnant women and new mothers face discrimination in Government schemes, and gender pay reporting has been suspended despite the need for transparency to address issues.

Women are a majority of the UK's population but only one third in this place. The speaker emphasises the importance of female role models and mentorship, acknowledging their own journey to Parliament with support from women like Judith Tope, Laura Evans, and Baroness Williams of Trafford. Clarkson highlights the need for more women Prime Ministers and encourages men to support strong women candidates.

Expresses solidarity with those affected by male violence against women, focusing on endometriosis as a condition impacting one in ten women from puberty to menopause. It takes an average of eight years for diagnosis and often leads to reduced income and job fears. The speaker urges Health Ministers to continue studies into pain alleviation and calls for welfare system reform.

Highlights the contributions of women during the pandemic, including local council leaders, university vice-chancellors, hospital chief executives, and frontline healthcare workers. Shah thanks individuals like Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Kersten England, Sarah Muckle, Shirley Congdon, Helen Hirst, Mel Pickup, Nancy O’Neill, Karen Dawber, Emma Barnes, Dr Deborah Horner, Sara Hollins, Marianne Downey, and Shaheen Kauser for their leadership during the crisis.

Echoed sentiments about Sarah Everard and highlighted the theme of 'Choose to Challenge' for International Women's Day. Emphasised the importance of choices, decisions, and responsibility in making a difference. Acknowledged local women leaders such as Joe Chadwick-Bell from NHS trust, Natalie Williams running Hastings food bank, Becky Shaw CEO of East Sussex County Council, Jane Hartnell managing director of Hastings Borough Council, Dawn Whittaker chief fire officer for East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Jo Shiner Chief Constable for Sussex Police, Katy Bourne police and crime commissioner, Councillor Kim Forward leader of Hastings Borough Council, Rebekah Gilbert mayor of Rye, Jacki Monroe from the DWP, and Chief Inspector Sarah Godley at Hastings and Rother police.

Paid tribute to women subjected to honour-based abuse. Highlighted a 60% increase in cases reported by Karma Nirvana charity in 2019. Discussed the misunderstanding of honour-based abuse, describing it as controlling behaviour based on beliefs or honour codes leading to violence and restrictions on opportunities for women.

Congratulated the Member for Basingstoke on securing the debate and discussed his work with William Hague on preventing sexual violence in conflict. Acknowledged progress made with the Domestic Abuse Bill but raised concerns about the cut in international development aid from 0.7% to 0.5%, which could impact efforts towards women's rights globally.

It is a genuine honour to speak in this debate about the severe systemic problem with male violence in the UK. Last week, a tragic death of a 16-year-old girl has highlighted the issue, and it's clear that there are many more cases unrecorded. Campaigners deserve support from Parliament to ask local police forces for data on these incidents and legislate to give agencies the tools to share information that will allow the creation of a centralised database.

Celebrated the women in trade unions, especially nurses, healthcare professionals, cleaners, catering staff, local government workers, energy sector workers, school staff, police officers, and social care providers who have been undervalued for too long. Also mentioned Christina McAnea's election as Unison general secretary and highlighted a campaign to create a permanent memorial for the match girls of 1888.

Expressed concerns about women feeling unsafe when doing mundane activities and emphasised that no woman should have to face this fear. Highlighted personal experiences, including crossing streets vigilantly due to the possibility of harassment or attacks. Emphasised that women are not responsible for their attackers' actions and advocated for reclaiming the night.

Debate speaker highlighted the need for more support for women during the pandemic and emphasised the critical role of equal opportunities, representation, and leadership. She called out the lack of action from the Government to tackle widening inequalities and urged them to publish data guaranteeing equal numbers of jobs for men and women.

Delighted to contribute to the debate on International Women’s Day, Maria acknowledges the achievements of women in the UK and around the world. She emphasises the importance of supporting women during the ongoing pandemic, highlighting government initiatives such as furlough schemes and support for self-employed individuals. She also underscores the role of women in STEM fields and their contributions to fighting the virus. Additionally, she addresses issues like violence against women, online abuse, and international efforts towards gender equality.

Welcomes the debate on International Women’s Day, Maria expresses gratitude for all those who have contributed to the events organised by the all-party group on women in Parliament. She suggests a new tradition of having a full-day debate next year to reflect the overwhelming support and consider issues affecting women's equality.