VSO’s Godmothers urge Andrew Mitchell, ‘don’t let UN Women become another broken promise’ to the world’s poorest women.
01/07/2011 10:28:00
Michelle Bachelet: "Many countries have increased their contributions, some significantly, for which we are very grateful. But for others, the time is now to walk the talk."
The inaugural UN Women Strategic Plan for 2011-13 was announced and agreed in New York today. Yet, after six months of frenetic activity, momentous support and passionate work driving Michele Bachelet’s agency forward, VSO is shocked the UK Government has still not pledged its core financial support to help the agency tackle the root causes of inequality and violations against women’s rights.
Kathy Peach, Head of External Affairs, VSO UK said:
"VSO knows that women around the world are too often held back simply because they are women; we believe UN Women is our opportunity to fix this. The Government’s own Multilateral Aid Review has already highlighted the potential for UN Women, admitting ‘constrained resources’ were exactly why previous UN efforts for women failed".
"To date, UN Women has managed to raise only one fifth of its funding target. Without funding UN Women will not be able to co-ordinate and invest in improving equality and supporting women’s empowerment around the world. The UK Government should be proud of the leadership and contribution it played in establishing UN Women, which is why VSO is saddened to see no funding commitment to an agency the Government said it was 'deeply committed to'."
"VSO and thousands of Godmothers across the country have campaigned that the UK Government’s contribution to UN Women should be at least equal to UNICEF; £21million in core funding annually. Only this robust and fair investment will ensure the UK’s track record of leading the fight against inequality be left untarnished by the current temporary reluctance to announce funding".
"With Spain, Norway and Canada together pledging half of the $103m that UN Women has raised so far, and even the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of the Congo committing to $10,000, Great Britain is notably absent from the list of 78 countries already showing their support for UN Women".
"Andrew Mitchell, had publicly stated: "The UK has also played a leadership role in the establishment of UN Women, the new organisation dedicated to gender equality, which we will support once we see a copy of their strategic plan. We are deeply committed to help it become a powerful agency."
"Six months in, a strategic plan has been agreed and UN Women is ready to launch its far reaching programme around the world; the Government has run out of excuses. VSO and our Godmothers will be watching in hope that the UK will not throw away its unique chance to change the future of the world poorest women".
Editor's notes
Media contact: Rachel Trayner on rachel.trayner@vso.org.uk, 0208 780 7265, 07738982122.
VSO is the leading international development charity that works through volunteers. Since 1958 more than 44,000 volunteers have worked in more than 120 countries. Today there are over 1600 international volunteers working in 42 countries around the world.
