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Women and Equalities Committee SDG 5

Response to release of latest Women and Equalities Committee report

Following the release of the latest Women and Equalities Committee report about Sustainable Development Goals 5, Lucy Russell, Campaign Manager at Plan International UK, said: “The Women and Equalities Committee is absolutely right to call for a cross-government, joined-up strategy on gender equality. Inequality between men and women, boys and girls is one of the most pervasive issues we face – both in the UK, and globally – and needs a full government response.

“Our own research last year found that in schools, online and in public spaces in general, girls are facing discrimination and abuse tied to their gender. For instance, we found that reports of sexual offences in schools more than doubled in recent years, with girls disproportionately affected.

“We welcome the call for government departments, local authorities and community groups to work together to first understand the problem, and then begin to tackle it, with girls and young women at the heart of those changes. Today’s report can be a vital first step in that process.

“It is also encouraging to see the Women and Equalities Committee recognising the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals – internationally agreed targets that remind us that the challenges we face here in the UK are global in scope, and that here in the UK we can learn by working in partnership with other countries worldwide. Now we need the Government to step up and meet that challenge for girls and women.”

To read the full report, click here.