Sharon Hodgson MP: The Commonwealth leading the fight to combat violence against women

I took part in the British Islands and Mediterranean Region’s Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Conference (quite a mouthful) in Gibraltar 6-8 February. The theme of the conference was the parliamentarian’s role in eliminating violence against women. It was fitting that the conference was hosted in Gibraltar by Hon. Samantha Sacramento MP, who is Gibraltar’s first ever Minister for Equality.

It was an enlightening conference; watertight academic research was highlighted by Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC showing that the total cost to the economy of violence against women was £26 billion during 2012 (Walby & Olive); she argued that we must be wary of false economies which undermine women’s safety. This indeed is the case all over Europe, we face a combined cost of €258 billion per year due to this issue.

As a delegate from the UK it was good to be able to consider how far the UK Parliament has been able to come in areas of reporting and prosecuting violence against women. Two very current issues that were highlighted by the speakers were the UK’s new legislation on ‘revenge porn’ in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, and the UK Government’s new commitment to funding a revenge porn helpline as of 9 February 2015. A new initiative from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children reminded us that parliamentarians can also play a role in encouraging multi-agency stakeholder cooperation, and we must remember to always be as proactive as we can.

Other jurisdictions may also consider further legislation; a number of speakers highlighted the particular struggles that smaller states have in tackling violence against women. It was strongly felt by all the delegates that the issue must be prevented, not just prosecuted. Women together need to ask ourselves how to create a gender sensitive culture which has the wellbeing and desexualisation of young women at the mainstream. It is also important to make sure as many voices as possible are raised in the fight against child pornography, and I was pleased to learn colleagues of mine are being encouraged to become ‘parliamentary champions’ of the Internet Watch Foundation – I am delighted to take up the role of champion this month. The Foundation are an organisation doing excellent work taking down as many pornographic images of children as possible, and I welcomed the idea to expand this ‘champion’ idea to other high profile celebrity figures for even greater awareness and support.

We were honoured to welcome Dr Shirin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of Bangladesh (CPA Chairperson) who reminded us of the worldwide reach of gender based violence and urged us to take action where we can to make sure that we see a tangible reduction worldwide before the international community reviews the SDGs – how long can violence against women continue to proliferate? Speaker Rebecca Kadaga of Uganda (CWP Chairperson) also highlighted global issues – women all over the world face gender based violence at time of elections and should be safe to cast their vote to alternative parties than those favoured by their male relatives.

Altogether, it was a chance to explore the many facets of the fight against violence against women, with plenty of food for thought. I look forward to the next regional conference on another important topic as we as Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians continue to champion women’s engagement in politics and the mainstreaming of gender considerations in policy.