MPs on the International Trade Committee have urged the Goverment to prioritise the rights of women in Britain's international trade policy after Brexit.
Releasing the report of its inquiry into trade, the Commonwealth and developing countries, the Committee said that the Government must "reconsider how it trades with developing countries after Brexit", and must "lead by example in areas such as supporting gender equality through trade policy."
Commenting, Lee Webster, director of international development policy at ActionAid UK, said:
“The International Trade Committee is right to emphasise the vital importance of women’s rights as part of our post-Brexit trade arrangements – and right in calling for leadership from the Government on this. On virtually every measure, women around the world are poorer than men – and all too often, unfair and badly designed global trade practices are part of the problem.
"The UK government has championed ending gender inequality around the world, and so ministers must now make sure our post-Brexit trade policy works for women - and doesn’t further disadvantage them. That includes undertaking thorough assessments of the impact of our trade deals on women.”
ENDS
For further information, contact the media team via email: alice.gillham@actionaid.org, or charlotte.clarke@actionaid.org; or if out of hours, on +44 (0) 7753 973 486.
Notes to editors
1. ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are helping end violence against women and girls and changing lives, for good. We won’t stop until women and girls are out of danger, out of poverty and on track to create the future they want.
2. ActionAid UK’s submission to the International Trade Committee's inquiry into trade, the Commonwealth and Brexit can be read here.