Creating security and a future for the next generation

2023 was a challenging year for the world - war, refugee crises, economic downturn, disease.

We are dealing with many human crises across the world including in Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza. These are all examples of where the global community needs to come together and take action.

As we enter 2024 I outline below four key areas where we need to keep focus and ensure we come together as governments and humanitarian organisations to tackle the issues quickly and effectively to ensure the human cost can be stopped quickly.

1. Ukraine must not slip off the agenda

Europe and the United States must not be distracted from supporting Ukraine. A lack of successful deterrence of Russian aggression increases the prospects of significant challenges over the China/Taiwan border, as well as with North Korea and Iran, and even across Eastern and Central Europe generally.

2. We cannot lose a generation in Gaza

Further support in Gaza is urgent. They are on the brink of famine. The West cannot step aside as families and disease increasingly threaten the civilian population of Gaza.  We know that children and the vulnerable are the principal victims of the conflict and we are at the risk of losing generations to this conflict if there is not international intervention.The international rule of law must be maintained by the International community, and not least by the UK.  

3. Protect the lives and rights of women and girls

We have achieved a lot in terms of improving the rights of women and girls in the last decade. However, we are at a critical tipping point with the realities being lived out in places including Afghanistan. We cannot let the plight of women in the country move to the back of the global agenda. With no access to education or independance, we are standing-by whilst women are set back decades. 

It is not only about regaining the rights of women and girls, but also building awareness of what reality lies ahead. Women are being trafficked. Babies are disappearing and being sold, child marriage continues to be alarmingly regular and the rights to maternal care and ongoing support is not regular enough. 

4. A call to action

We need more women at the table at a local level. Bringing the rights of women and children to the forefront of the international agenda. Governments need to support and encourage more women into these roles and make every effort to create opportunities that will ensure the right to education and investment for future employment is facilitated and invested in.