Women across the world still suffer disproportionately from poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to basic health care. However, new legislation in the UK Parliament is aiming to change that. The Gender Equality (International Development) Bill, in a promising position to become law, is laying the groundwork for ensuring that all future foreign aid donations begin to close the gap in gender equality. If passed, this law would be the first commitment of its kind.

This bill, and those supporting it, reminds us that while humanitarian aid often has the best of intentions, the specifics of to whom the aid is given and how it is used are often just as important as the donations themselves. Supported by many NGOs, including WaterAid, and the Gender Rights and Equality Action Trust, the bill recognizes the importance of ensuring that the needs of women are not overlooked in this decision process.

This bill would also set the precedent for recognizing the indisputable link that exists between the health, education, and empowerment of young girls and women, and the social and political freedoms of countries as a whole. It may be a small step, but it sure is a step in the right direction.

To read more, visit the article in The Guardian, here.