5 things CARE got up to at Labour Party Conference 2026

Labour Party Conference is an important moment for CARE to build relationships and make the case for a UK that stands with women worldwide.

This year, we arrived in Liverpool with a clear message: as threats to women's rights grow globally, the British public expects the UK to be bolder in defending gender equality and using its voice and influence internationally.

Here are five things CARE's Advocacy team got up to at Conference - and why they matter.

1. We secured a commitment from the Minister for International Development on women's rights

CARE welcomed the Minister for International Development Kirsty McNeill's announcement at the UN General Assembly the UK would be making a new investment in family planning, and asked how the UK will respond to growing attacks on women's rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Her response was passionate. Kirsty spoke about the importance of using the UK's diplomatic influence and voice "for all aspects of women's liberation." For CARE, this was a powerful recognition that defending women's rights globally requires more than development assistance alone. The UK can use its diplomatic relationships and political influence to champion rights, challenge efforts to roll back progress and support women and girls around the world.

We welcome this commitment and look forward to working with Kirsty and others across Government to turn it into sustained action.

2. We engaged with the new Foreign Secretary's vision for UK foreign policy

Ed Miliband's first Labour Party Conference speech as Foreign Secretary set out an ambitious vision for a UK foreign policy rooted in values, describing the Government's approach as "stronger in our values, bolder in our action."

The speech also addressed growing conflicts around the world, the climate crisis and its implications for global security, and the debt, poverty and climate breakdown facing developing countries. He committed to using Britain's position internationally, including its G20 presidency, to push for reform of the international financial system and action on debt and development.

All of these challenges have specific and disproportionate impacts on women and girls. CARE was therefore encouraged to hear the Foreign Secretary place the protection of rights and freedoms at the heart of his vision for Britain's role in the world. We will be looking to see that ambition reflected in UK action to defend hard-won rights and ensure the experiences and expertise of women and girls are central to the UK's response to these global challenges.

3. We hosted a conversation about the growing backlash against gender equality

One of the highlights of conference was our flagship event with the Fabian Society, "Mapping the Backlash: Democracy, Security and Gender Equality".

Chaired by former Minister for Development and Co-Chair of the Fabian Society Anneliese Dodds, the event brought together new FCDO Minister Uma Kumaran, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Emily Thornberry and Chair of the Defence Committee Tan Dhesi, alongside experts Jamie Vernaelde from IPAS and Michael Jones from RUSI.

The discussion explored the growing backlash against gender equality - and why it matters for democracy and security. Our panel highlighted the links between anti-rights movements, disinformation, authoritarianism and political polarisation. They also discussed how gender and identity can be exploited to deepen existing divisions and undermine democratic societies.

For CARE, it was important to bring these issues into the mainstream political conversation. The backlash against gender equality is not happening in isolation, and we need to understand the connections between attacks on gender equality and wider threats to democracy and human rights.

4. We put gender equality in front of the conference audience

Just before conference, CARE and More in Common published new polling showing that people across Britain recognise that women's and girls' rights are under greater threat globally - and want the UK to do more.

Nearly a third of respondents (32%) said the Government's top priority should be standing up to people and organisations seeking to erode the rights of women and girls. We took that message into conference - including through a CARE advert in the New Statesman - calling for gender equality to remain firmly on the political agenda.

The polling also highlighted a significant gap between public concern and awareness of the Government's plans: 77% of adults surveyed said they knew "not much or nothing at all" about what the Government plans to do to protect the rights of women and girls globally.

That makes the case for action even clearer. There is public appetite for the UK to be bolder in defending women's rights. Now we need to see that ambition matched by visible and consistent action.

5. We made sure this is only the beginning...

Labour Party Conference is also about the conversations that happen away from the main stage. Across the week, CARE met with ministers, MPs and other political stakeholders to discuss the issues that matter to our supporters and to the women and girls we work alongside around the world. We left conference feeling encouraged by these conversations, the relationships we strengthened, and the growing recognition of the challenges facing gender equality.

But conference is only one moment in the political calendar. The real test is what happens afterwards: whether commitments are followed through, whether the UK uses its voice and influence to defend women's rights, and whether women's rights organisations and feminist movements are supported to lead the fight against the global rollback of gender equality.

CARE will keep making that case - working with politicians, partners and our supporters to ensure gender equality stays on the agenda and that the UK plays its part in defending hard-won rights.