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International Women’s Day 2025-03-06
06 March 2025
Lead MP
Dawn Butler
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Crime & Law Enforcement
Other Contributors: 44
At a Glance
Dawn Butler raised concerns about international women’s day 2025-03-06 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member congratulates Parliament on being the most diverse with 41% female Members and highlights the importance of reaching out to men to protect women, noting that one woman is killed every three days by a partner or former partner. She emphasises the need for investment in lifesaving specialist domestic abuse services and advocates for uncomfortable conversations about gender violence. She also celebrates organisations like Fawcett Society and Centenary Action and encourages men to speak out against misogyny.
Steve Witherden
Lab
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
The hon. Member asks if the lead MP agrees that lifesaving specialist domestic abuse services, which have been chronically underfunded, must receive the investment they need.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member points out that Northern Ireland has the highest statistics on murders of women in the UK and suggests a strategy from Westminster to address this issue across the regions.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
The hon. Member raises concerns about social media amplifying negative content and asks if platforms should take responsibility for the content that is being amplified through their services.
Birmingham Erdington
The hon. Member highlights the disparity in mental health treatment for black people, noting that they are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 and asks if addressing this disparity is essential for truly honouring International Women’s Day.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
The hon. Member for Gordon and Buchan praised Scottish women's contributions, focusing on notable figures like Dame Evelyn Glennie, Hannah Miley, Professor Dame Anne Glover, Jane Craigie, and Professor Lorna Dawson. She highlighted their achievements in music, sports, science, agriculture, and soil forensics respectively. Harriet also acknowledged Margaret Thatcher’s legacy and shared her personal story about her mother becoming the first woman mechanic on an all-weather lifeboat, emphasising the importance of open-mindedness and equal opportunities.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
The hon. Member for Luton North emphasised the need to accelerate action on women’s reproductive health issues, focusing on medical misogyny and late diagnosis of conditions like adenomyosis and endometriosis. She highlighted that painful procedures such as hysteroscopies are still conducted without adequate pain relief for women and recommended better education about menstrual health for young people. She also pointed out the disparity in research funding towards men’s health issues compared to women's, stressing the importance of comprehensive action across all sectors.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Wellingborough
The hon. Member discusses the importance of miscarriage bereavement leave, citing examples from employers and public sector organisations like TUI and NHS. She also highlights the need for action on FGM, non-consensual intimate image abuse, community cohesion, shared parental leave, and women in business.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
The hon. Member speaks about the relevance of International Women's Day and celebrates the achievement that 40% of this Parliament are now women. She emphasises the need for a gender-equal society, particularly in safe workplaces.
Natalie Fleet
Lab
Bolsover
It is an honour to be here today as the first MP to represent Bolsover who is a woman. I want to talk about the hidden issues that affect us women—too often our private burden. If we look at the last Parliament, the BBC was discussed more often than childcare. Fishing was five times more likely to be mentioned than menopause. This historic House, which women died to get us into, spent more time discussing football than rape. My daughter tells me that every time I talk about rape, she bristles. Please do not stop. The data tells me that while my baby is at school, she will witness sexual harassment and potentially be sent dick pics, and there is nothing I can do to protect her from that.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way during her extremely powerful speech. Will she remind everybody of the importance not only of the fact of rape, but of prosecuting and convicting the perpetrators of those rapes, so that we remember that this is not simply about a passive violence against women and girls, but about identifying the causes and the people who do those crimes?
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
I think that International Women’s Day is fantastic because it gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to someone whose birthday would have been on International Women’s Day had she not been born in 1909. Beatrice Shilling faced a certain amount of male condescension. The device she had designed was referred to as “Miss Shilling’s orifice”. However, no one minded the fact that, when fitted to the planes, the devices kept them in the fight. She contributed an extraordinary amount to the winning of the second world war.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
In my almost 10 years in this place, I have become somewhat vocal on women’s issues. My passion for ensuring that women get access to the support and services they need is what drives me—from women struggling through the menopause to women in prison, and women who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or modern slavery. Today, I will speak about an industry that is powered by women but is all too often overlooked and undervalued.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Acknowledged several influential Scottish women and highlighted the slow pace of gender parity, noting that a girl born today will be nearly 40 years old before women hold as many seats in Parliament as men. He called for initiatives to encourage more women and girls to enter politics.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
Paid tribute to the achievements of women, including local leaders and MPs, and emphasised the importance of addressing violence against women and girls. She mentioned recent data showing that 2 million women are victims of violence annually and highlighted efforts by the Safeguarding Minister.
Alison Griffiths
Con
Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Celebrated the achievements of Conservative female MPs, noting that she is one of only eight newly elected female Conservative MPs. Emphasised support for women's rights through measures like increasing paid employment opportunities for women and introducing free childcare.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Paid tribute to the historical significance of International Women’s Day, noting its evolution from a call for social change in the early 20th century. Highlighted persistent challenges such as gender pay gaps and violence against women.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Celebrated local women in his constituency who are leaders, business owners, and activists. He highlighted the work of Judith Ballard, Moira Allen, Molly and Rachel Fitton, Joy Russell from the Save Pawlett Hams action group; Rose Stacey as a successful local business owner; Niki Miles for raising awareness about gambling addiction; Amy Branson for campaigning on sentencing guidelines; Emma-Elizabeth Murphy for inspiring an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill. He also paid tribute to Gemma Berry and Lorna Griffiths from the Nelson Trust Somerset women’s centre, which provides support to over 5,000 women annually.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Called for accelerated action on gender equality. She noted that at the current rate of progress, full gender parity would take 133 years. She focused on women's health issues, including racial disparities in maternity care and worsening maternal mortality rates. She highlighted the long diagnostic process for endometriosis and lack of research dedicated to reproductive health.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
Emphasised the importance of supporting women in politics and public life, mentioning her role as an honorary vice-president of the Conservative Women’s Organisation. She highlighted inspiring local women such as Dianne Worby, Helen Bebington, and Councillor Rachel Williams, advocating for mental health support and addressing domestic violence.
Cat Eccles
Lab
Stourbridge
Acknowledged the tradition of electing only women to Stourbridge since 1997. She launched the Sisters of Stourbridge Awards to recognise local women such as Chloe Cox, an English teacher who returned after a brain tumour; Mandy Hobbis for her animal rights activism; and Kate Cooke who supports work experience opportunities despite overcoming a stroke.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
The debate focuses on the injustices faced by women in the UK. It includes health issues such as period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and mental health issues caused by pornography addiction. The MP also calls for urgent action to secure funding for local projects like DAWN.
Alex McIntyre
Lab
Gloucester
The MP highlights the need for equality and presents a ten-minute rule Bill to provide victims of domestic abuse with 10 days of paid safe leave. He discusses government initiatives such as Raneem's law, protecting victims of stalking, domestic abuse, and harassment.
Marie Tidball
Lab
Penistone and Stocksbridge
The MP shares her personal experience of pregnancy as a disabled woman and the challenges she faced in receiving adequate healthcare. She emphasises the need for inclusive maternity care services, better training for clinicians, and accessible facilities.
Naushabah Khan
Lab
Gillingham and Rainham
The MP agrees with Dr Marie Tidball's statement that health services for women of colour are lagging behind. She calls for a more intersectional approach in UK maternity policy.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
The MP thanks the childcare workforce, emphasising their undervalued role and the need for funding to ensure a stable workforce in early years and childcare. She advocates for small, passionate women-owned businesses in this sector.
Leigh Ingham
Lab
Stafford
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Brent East (Dawn Butler), who is an incredible activist for women, and I express gratitude towards Alice Hawkins, a suffragette from Stafford's history. Despite significant increases in violence against women and girls in Staffordshire, there is much to be proud of but also areas where we must act with urgency. Violence against women and girls is happening everywhere, making it a national emergency.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
I rise as the youngest woman in Parliament and speak about my experience of online abuse, questioning my intelligence and threatening my safety. I mention the case of Anju Asok, a nurse from Kettering who was killed alongside her children by her husband, emphasising that we must engage young men to tackle violence against women.
Knowsley
I highlight the high rate of femicide in Knowsley and mention Paula Leather, a victim of domestic abuse. I emphasise the need for sustainable, multi-year funding for specialist domestic abuse services to keep women safe.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Brent East (Dawn Butler) and shift the tone to a moment of joy visiting St Joseph’s Catholic primary school in Billingham where students asked about equal pay for women footballers, discussing the rapid growth of women's football despite historical bans.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Highlighted the issue of violence against women in prostitution, noting that many women involved started being paid for sex acts before they were 18 and are often drug users. Stressed that prostitution is a form of sexual inequality.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Tributed a constituent who was abused at age 10, dealt with the trauma after her children left home, and faced her abuser being released near her house. Emphasised that perpetrators should not be allowed to return to live close to their victims.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Discussed the ongoing issue of the gender pay gap, noting its persistence despite equal pay legislation. Praised Labour's measures such as flexible working and better childcare provision to help balance work with family responsibilities.
Kirith Entwistle
Lab
Bolton North East
Acknowledged the need for honest discussion about women’s rights being rolled back globally. Highlighted local support services like Fortalice and Endeavour, which provide refuge and pet fostering to victims of domestic abuse.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Women's rights are still under threat, including in the digital realm. There is a need to address new forms of abuse like deepfakes and non-consensual image-based abuse.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth North
Celebrated Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust maternity services for their dedication and trailblazing initiatives. Highlighted the support provided to families expecting babies with Down syndrome, neonatal care advancements, and the recognition received in NHS awards.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Discussed violence against women and girls, emphasising the need for better public services, policing, affordable transport, workplace safety. Highlighted issues of housing security and the impact of international aid on women's opportunities globally.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
Emphasised historical and current gender inequality including voting rights and pay gaps. Called for addressing pension inequalities faced by WASPI women, recognising the ongoing struggle for fairness and equality.
Naushabah Khan
Lab
Gillingham and Rainham
Celebrated progress in political representation but noted under-representation of women in certain industries such as construction. Highlighted systemic barriers to career progression despite the passion of young female entrants.
Alex Brewer
LD
North East Hampshire
Celebrated the achievements of women since International Women's Day began in the early 20th century. Highlighted issues like education, illiteracy rates globally, and the impact of cuts to international aid on women. Advocated for gender equality in foreign policy and funding initiatives to eradicate sexual violence in conflict zones.
Mims Davies
Con
East Grinstead and Uckfield
Praised the debate as poignant, proud, challenging, and joyful. Recognised Margaret Thatcher's contributions to increasing women's participation in workforce and professions, emphasising that women MPs stand on the shoulders of those who came before them.
Sajid Javid
Con
Bromsgrove
Emphasised the importance of female leadership within his party, expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of the Minister for Women and Equalities role in government. Acknowledged several women leaders in his constituency and across different sectors such as fire safety, policing, and religious institutions. Emphasised the need to address critical issues affecting women, including domestic violence, early release schemes, independent inquiries on grooming gangs, and menopause support.
Jess Phillips
Lab
Birmingham Yardley
Called for action against violence towards women, mentioning Raneem's law which embeds specialists in 999 control rooms. Advocated for new domestic abuse protection orders that lead to swift arrests when perpetrators breach their orders. Pushed forward on stalking laws, allowing people to know the identity of online stalkers. Honoured victims and read out names of women killed by men over the past year.
Member who opened the debate
Not specified in the text
The opening contribution is not provided in the given transcript.
Expressed concern over the growing list of women's deaths due to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Emphasised the need for action to prevent things from getting worse. Highlighted Members' contributions focusing on lived experiences, including being pregnant as a disabled woman, being the youngest in Parliament, and surviving rape. Urged everyone outside the Chamber to hear these stories.
Government Response
Called for action against violence towards women, mentioning Raneem's law which embeds specialists in 999 control rooms. Advocated for new domestic abuse protection orders that lead to swift arrests when perpetrators breach their orders. Pushed forward on stalking laws, allowing people to know the identity of online stalkers. Honoured victims and read out names of women killed by men over the past year.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
Praised contributions to women's history and celebrated International Women’s Day. Emphasised the importance of meritocracy over tokenism in addressing gender equality.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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