CARE International UK responds to UK aid spending evidence

"We welcome Minister Dodds restating her strong commitment to ensuring women and girls are at the heart of the UK's development policy, and her recognition that it is women's rights organisations that have the "catalysing impact" needed to deliver change. As women globally face a rollback on their rights, this statement of intent from the UK Government could not be more needed.

"However, the Minister stopped short of making any concrete commitments as to how her Department's vastly reduced aid budget will support women's leadership. The previous Government slashed overseas aid to a record low. Meanwhile women and girls in places like Gaza and Sudan face daily terror, hunger and deadly threat. It has never been more important that the Government support the women leading their communities through these appalling circumstances.

"While we agree with the Minister that mainstreaming gender equality is critical to ensuring women and girls benefit from UK aid, it is programming that specifically addresses gender inequality that creates real change for society at large. That's where the impact is, and that's where the focus needs to be. The best way to turn the Minister's ambition into reality is to set a clear target for how much aid must have gender equality as its primary focus. We recommend at least 20%. Without bold action the Government's pledges risk ringing hollow."