UK to head international coalition tackling violence against women and girls, foreign secretary announces

The UK will convene a group of countries in efforts to end violence against women and girls around the world, the foreign secretary has announced.

Yvette Cooper will head the coalition, announced at the Global Partnerships Conference earlier this month, which will see countries share expertise on tackling the issue.

Seven countries - South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Jamaica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Australia - will join the UK as founding members.

"Violence against women and girls is a global emergency, not just a national emergency," Ms Cooper said.

"We are determined to work across borders to ensure women's safety is a worldwide priority."

The foreign secretary then noted the crisis in Sudan, where she "heard girls speak of rape, abduction and abhorrent sexual violence" while visiting the border in February.

Ms Cooper added: "I will make sure their voices are heard and fight to end violence for every single one of them - and for the 1 in 3 women globally who will experience sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime."

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the coalition "will drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence" and "will also look to strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises".

It added that the UK will host a major summit on tackling violence against women and girls next year, where countries can report progress.

See more from Sky News:
World's 'most expensive' high-speed rail line to be slower
Who's responsible for atrocity that killed scores of Iranian children?
Surrey Police probes alleged child sex abuse linked to Epstein

The government has described violence against women and girls as a "national emergency".

Last year, it set out a range of measures - including teachers instructing children on healthy relationships - in an effort to halve violence in a decade.

(c) Sky News 2026: UK to head international coalition tackling violence against women and girls, foreign