HC Deb 26 January 1998 vol 305 cc18-20
17. Siobhain McDonagh

If she will make a statement on the planned meeting of the commission on the status of women in March. [23068]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Ms Joan Ruddock)

As part of our focus on women during our presidency of the European Union, I am pleased to announce that I will be heading the EU delegation at the next annual meeting of the United Nations commission on the status of women, which will be held in New York in March. I will be working with women's organisations and our EU partners to ensure that we represent the views of European women.

Siobhain McDonagh

I thank the Minister for that reply. The commission will consider violence against women. Today is the launch of domestic violence week in my borough of Merton. Although services are available, women who suffer from domestic violence, and the doctors, nurses and health visitors, who may be the first people with whom those women come into contact, often do not know what help is provided. Will my hon. Friend ensure that consideration is given to finding ways in which to inform everyone, across the board and not on a departmental basis, about what services are available?

Ms Ruddock

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question. I can assure her not only that action to prevent violence against women is one of the major priorities of the Ministers for Women, but that it is part of the United Nations platform for action on women.

By raising the issues in an international forum, we can ensure that we contribute to the dialogue, and make it possible for women throughout the world to understand that we are all concerned about the violence that is inflicted on them and will tackle it. In this country we, as Ministers for Women, are already working across Government with our colleagues to ensure that we deliver better services, and that every woman who is subjected to violence is confident that she can come forward, be treated with respect and gain the support that she needs if she has to go to court—and, indeed, after court.

Unlike the previous Administration, we have put the perspectives of women at the heart of our Government. Already, £30,000 has been allocated to the women's aid helpline in England.

Forward to