Lords International Women's Day debate

Debate 

During the debate in Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members discussed a range of topics including:

• prioritising aid for women and girls in the International Development Strategy

• tackling online hate and abuse

• impact of COVID-19 pandemic on wage inequalities

• focusing on girls' education, including encouraging STEM subjects in schools

• tackling violence against women and girls

• prioritising women and girls in responding to humanitarian crises

• work incentives and childcare programmes to help women get back into work.

Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative), Minister for Women, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Members speaking  

Members speaking in the debate included:  

• Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green), founding chair of the Green Party Women's Group
  
  
• Baroness Cox (Crossbench), founder and CEO of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART)
  
  
• Baroness Gale (Labour), former Wales commissioner for the Women's National Commission
  
  
• Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative), Chair of  Advisers, Gender Action for Peace & Security (GAPS)
  
  
• Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrats), president of Liberal Democrat Women.

Get involved  

Watch and read the debate 

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript
• See how the House of Lords is celebrating Women's History Month
• view images of the debate on Flickr

Explore background information 

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing. 

Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

Image: House of Lords/Roger Harris