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"Tackling violence against women and girls absolutely requires someone in government to champion this issue. Appointing Seema Malhotra as Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls is a welcome and necessary step by the Labour party.
"ActionAid hopes that Mrs Malhotra's role will also include working to prevent violence which affects women in developing countries. Preventing and combatting violence against women is a crucial step to bringing stability and development to every country.
"We hope therefore that her role will encompass issues of women and conflict at international meetings such as the NATO summit in Cardiff next week, where it is essential that women – who are disproportionately affected by violent conflict – participate directly in discussions that have profound implications for their lives."
Violence against women and girls is a worldwide problem of epidemic proportions that affects one in three women and girls in their lifetime. Such violence traps them, their communities, and ultimately whole nations, in poverty.
