Keep pressure on DFID to ensure funding for UN Women

Campaign update: DFID responds but we must keep pressure up to ensure DFID takes note of widespread UK public support for UN Women

In May we asked our supporters to join us in calling on the UK government to prioritise funding for UN Women and thereby help address the ongoing inequality and discrimination faced by women and girls worldwide.

UNA-UK is now pleased to inform you that we have received an encouraging response from the Department for International Development (DFID).

In its reply, DFID states that its funding of UN Women will depend upon the details of UN Women's strategic plan, to be presented to DFID's Board in June. You can view an advance copy of UN Women's strategic plan here. By keeping the pressure on DFID in the run up to the board meeting, we can ensure DFID takes note of the widespread UK public support for UN Women.

The response from DFID demonstrates clear support for protecting and assisting women and girls, and outlines four pillars which form the foundation of its strategy:

1. Delay first pregnancy and support safe childbirth
2. Give economic assets direct to girls and women
3. Getting girls through secondary school
4. Preventing violence against women and girls

UNA-UK believes that the UK government should take steps to ensure that UN Women receives sufficient funding and political support to fulfil its important mandate as a matter of priority.