Gavin Newlands MP hosts cross-party lobby event to end violence against women
SNP MP Gavin Newlands has hosted a cross-party lobby event in Parliament calling for an end to violence against women, and for the UK government to ratify the Istanbul Convention - a European Council convention which legislates for the coordination of policies between government, local authorities and charities working to combat violence against women.
The Istanbul Convention Parliamentary lobby was a drop-in event for MPs and peers to find out more about the issue and have their photo taken showing their support for ending violence against women. MPs also had the opportunity to meet with survivors of gender-based violence, along with prominent advocates in this area.
The event, which was also supported by MPs Maria Miller, Jess Phillips, and Tom Brake was organised by the IC Change campaign in partnership with Women’s Aid, Scottish Women’s Aid, the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), Southall Black Sisters, FORWARD, and White Ribbon.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“I was delighted to host this cross-party event, as a way of raising awareness amongst colleagues in Parliament, and to bring together those organisations doing such vital work to stop violence against women.
“The UK government can and must do more to end violence against women, and I am calling on them today to ensure there is cooperation between Government, local authorities and charities.”
Rebecca Bunce, co-director of the IC change campaign, said:
“This law is about women's lives. It is easy to forget when talking about legal technicalities, but ratification is really about women being able to live free from violence and free from the fear of violence."
“With the promise of the Istanbul Convention, we have already seen progress from the UK government with legislation on forced marriage, psychological violence and female genital mutilation (FGM). We can't stop now. With uncertain times ahead it is all the more vital that there is a clear legal framework to help end violence against women. We urge the UK government to finish what they started and ratify the Istanbul Convention."
