The Prime Minister has just asked me to become the Government's lead on combating violence against women around the world, and I want to hear what you think we should be doing.

I have just returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo where brutal sexual violence has been a feature of a long and terrible conflict. Tens of thousands of women and girls have been used as weapons of war. The memories of the women I met will stay with me forever.

We already target our aid to ensure it helps women in particular, whether by ensuring girls get better access to education or by establishing the United Nations Women's Agency.

In my new role I will step up our work to make sure that violence against women becomes a top international priority, working towards a day when it becomes a thing of the past.


Glenys