International Women’s Day

Yesterday was International Women’s Day – a cause for celebration around the world. But there’s always been a political edge – in 1917, Women’s Day celebrations in St Petersburg turned into the demonstrations that began the Russian Revolution. And the day’s significance continues. In India, a new bill was today tabled in the upper house of parliament which would raise the number of female lawmakers in the 545-seat lower house from 59 to 181 and quadruple the number of women in the 250-seat upper house. In Saudi Arabia, female lawyers are being allowed to argue cases in court for the first time. But there is still much more to do. Improving conditions and opportunities for women remains a key focus of the UK’s human rights work worldwide – as shown in yesterday’s appointment of Glenys Kinnock to lead our work in tackling violence against women around the world....