Gender inequality one of greatest human rights challenges, Swinney says

Gender inequality remains “one of the greatest human rights challenges globally”, Scotland’s First Minister has said.

Speaking during a trip to Zambia and Malawi, John Swinney said tackling violence against women and girls is one of Scotland’s “key priorities”.

Mr Swinney travelled to Zambia on Tuesday, where he met organisations to discuss the challenges in advancing women’s rights, and heard about Police Scotland’s partnership with the Zambian police service to tackle gender-based violence.

On Friday he headed to neighbouring Malawi, where he announced a package of funding to support growth for women-led business, ahead of attending an investment roundtable event in Blantyre.

The First Minister also announced the first grants to be awarded from the government’s £3 million Women and Girls Fund (WGF), which will deliver grants to support women and girl-led organisations across Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia.

This first set of grants will support a range of projects in Zambia and Malawi, including enhancing women’s representation in politics and decision-making, furthering rights for disabled women and girls, and creating gender-inclusive public spaces.

The First Minister said: “Gender inequality remains one of the greatest human rights challenges globally, and the Scottish Government’s funding is empowering women and girls, locally, to define and meet their own priorities.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is one of our key priorities in Scotland, and it is important that we continue to share learning with other countries on this common goal.

“When it comes to building a better future for women and girls, supporting inclusive education and creating opportunities in business will also be key.

“That’s why we are investing over £350,000 this year to the Malawi Investment Programme – helping small and medium enterprises to expand, with a particular focus on women-led businesses.

“The funding will also help empower women, especially in rural areas, through skills development to shape a better future for their families and the community.

“I look forward to continuing to engage with governments in Malawi and Zambia as we continue to work towards our shared goal of advancing gender equality.”

Violet Pikiti Sitwala is executive director at Archie Hinchcliffe Disability Intervention, one of the organisations that received a grant from the WGF.

“We have been greatly honoured to be part of the whole process of the Women and Girls Fund – from designing to being fund recipients – and now being visited by the First Minister of Scotland,” she said.

“The process has been deeply empowering, providing us a valuable opportunity to drive community transformation through advocacy; especially in advancing the rights and wellbeing of girls and women with disabilities.

“We are humbled and deeply thankful.”

On Sunday the First Minister is set to visit the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to see how partnership working between Scotland and Malawi is supporting healthcare in Blantyre.

He will also visit the new Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Dental School, where he is expected to meet the school’s first cohort of Malai dental graduates.

On Monday Mr Swinney is due to take part in an investment roundtable event at Mandala House – Malawi’s oldest building – before returning to Scotland.