The Government today released its Comprehensive Spending Review, setting out spending plans and priorities for each of its departments over the next three years.
Women and girls were absent from the FCDO’s list of priorities for the first time, following a decision announced in February to drastically slash the aid budget and confirmation last month that the government will prioritise humanitarian, climate, and health at the expense of programming that supports the rights of women and girls.
Helen McEachern, CEO of CARE International UK, said:
“Today’s Comprehensive Spending Review marks a major retreat from the UK’s commitment to women and girls.
"With not even a single mention of women and girls’ rights in 132 pages of the Spending Review it means for the first time in the history of the FCDO, women and girls are no longer a top priority – despite a promise to put them 'at the heart of foreign policy'.
"At a time when leadership on gender equality has never been more needed, the Labour Government is sending a dangerous signal to the public and the rest of the world – investing in the rights of women and girls here or abroad is no longer its concern.”
Media enquiries
For all media enquiries, please contact Carey Ellis on ellis@careinternational.org
