Ugandan women's rights activist, Judith Adokorach, brings her message to parliament. © CARE

The Prime Minister has announced that the UK will go to the polls in the general election on 6th May.

In a globalised world, the actions of the British government make a huge impact on the lives of people who live in developing countries.

CARE is calling on all parties to make the election count for women who live in conflict and post-conflict zones. Last year, the international community introduced laws to protect women from rape as a weapon of war. The UK government has a key role to play to ensure that the laws are implemented and make a difference to women living in war zones.

Whoever forms the new government after the election has a responsibility to put women’s rights at the heart of their foreign policy. To protect women living in conflict from the horrors of sexual violence, the government must:

• Put services for women at the centre of all action against rape in war;
• Promote access to justice for women who have survived sexual violence;
• Make the UN more accountable to women;
• Address the root causes of violence against women in conflict.

In March, Ugandan Women’s Rights activist Judith Adokorach visited the UK and spoke to activists about the importance of British people raising their voices for the women living in conflict who often are not heard. She said:

“In northern Uganda, where I am from, women lived in fear of attack from armed men. Women I work with speak of rape, torture and kidnap by soldiers – many of whom have never been brought to justice. Here in the UK, the government can play a vital role in improving the situation for women in countries such as Uganda.”

To learn more about CARE’s Voices Against Violence campaign, click here.