A number of British stars have added their names to an open letter written to U.K. government officials in a bid to end violence towards women.
Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kate Nash, Stella McCartney, Samantha Morton and Dame Vivienne Westwood have lent their support to the ActionAid UK campaign, which aims to stop female abuse. The letter, published in The Times letter pages, urges the government to make the issue a “foreign policy priority” following the appointment of a new minister to tackle global violence against women and girls.
The letter states, "Violence affects one in three women globally and is a leading cause of death and disability among women of all ages.
“The U.K. has taken an important first step with the introduction of a new ministerial post to lead on global violence against women and girls… However, this post needs to become a permanent fixture of the U.K. Government with adequate resources to make a real difference for women.
“We, the under-signed, support ActionAid UK’s campaign to make ending violence against women a foreign policy priority. All of the political parties have said they are serious about tackling violence against women internationally but words must be backed up with action.”
ActionAid fights poverty and injustice worldwide, reaching over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people and helping them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
