Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper delivered a powerful address on tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) at the Global Partnerships Conference on 20 May 2026. Speaking during the VAWG plenary session on the second day of the high-level event, Ms Cooper urged international partners to strengthen their collective efforts and commitment to eradicating this widespread human rights abuse.
Ms Cooper emphasised that violence against women and girls remains a global crisis, impacting millions of lives and hindering progress towards equality and sustainable development. Her speech highlighted the critical need for a coordinated international response, stressing that no single nation can effectively combat the issue in isolation. She called for greater investment in prevention programmes, improved support services for survivors, and robust legal frameworks to ensure accountability for perpetrators.
The Foreign Secretary reiterated the United Kingdom's unwavering dedication to this cause, outlining how the UK government continues to champion initiatives designed to protect and empower women and girls across the globe. This includes funding for grassroots organisations, advocating for policy changes, and supporting international conventions aimed at safeguarding human rights. The UK's approach often involves working with multilateral organisations and local partners to deliver tailored interventions in affected regions.
The Global Partnerships Conference serves as a crucial platform for world leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss pressing global challenges and forge stronger alliances. Ms Cooper's intervention underscored the UK's view that tackling VAWG is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic foreign policy priority, essential for promoting stability, security, and prosperity worldwide. The discussions at the conference are expected to inform future international cooperation and resource allocation.
The implications for British nationals, particularly those working or travelling abroad, are significant. The Foreign Office consistently updates its travel advice, which often includes warnings about local laws and cultural sensitivities that might impact women. While not directly altering travel advice, the UK's commitment to improving global safety for women and girls contributes to a broader environment where British citizens, and all individuals, can feel more secure.
The UK government's focus on VAWG also has broader trade implications, as stability and human rights are increasingly recognised as foundational elements for sustainable economic partnerships. Countries demonstrating a commitment to human rights, including gender equality, are often viewed as more reliable and ethical partners in international trade and investment. This aligns with the UK's broader agenda of promoting good governance and human rights as key tenets of its global engagement.