Her Voice For Justice

If justice delayed is justice denied, then English courts are regularly denying justice. The English criminal justice system is in #crisis, with an unprecedented backlog of cases now totaling nearly 68,000 in the Crown Courts alone. This crisis is a result of severe budget cuts, reduced sitting days, and systemic inefficiencies that have accumulated over the past decade. In recent years, the average time from crime to court resolution has surged from 16 months to 22 months. For cases involving sexual offences—where timely resolution is critical for securing reliable testimonies—the delay is particularly damaging. Victims face years of uncertainty, while defendants see their lives put on hold indefinitely. The strain extends beyond the courts. Overcrowded prisons now house an increasing number of individuals awaiting trial, and underfunded legal services are struggling to keep up. With 43% of courts closed since 2010, the system lacks the capacity to address the mounting cases effectively. It’s clear that the justice system needs urgent reform. Prioritising court funding, increasing barristers’ fees, and reopening closed courtrooms could provide immediate relief. If we want a justice system that truly serves society, we must advocate for long-term solutions to restore efficiency and public trust. [ Via Financial Times ] #LegalReform #CourtBacklog #HerVoiceForJustice

We've launched the UN Women Leaders Network to advocate for gender-equal participation in leadership and decision-making. Led by our Executive Director, the Network brings together a global, intergenerational and intersectional group of women leaders. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dH3Wt7Ug #UNGA #GenderEquality

Many of you ask me how you can get involved with Cherie Blair Foundation for Women's work and meaningfully support women around the world. Now is your chance: join our gold-accredited Mentoring Women in Business programme and serve as a professional mentor to a woman entrepreneur in a low or middle income country! https://bit.ly/4cPMkjv Mentoring for just two hours a month not only gives you the unique opportunity to enable a woman to grow professionally, boost her business and support herself and others, you will contribute to global gender equality and economic development – and enjoy fantastic rewards: ✔ Enhancing your leadership, problem solving and communication skills  ✔ Gaining insights into different cultures and industries  ✔ Understanding challenges faced by women in low and middle income countries  ✔ Sharing your experience and expertise with another person as a powerful legacy ✔ Inspiring and motivating others, making a lasting impact on a business’s growth I know well the huge power and fulfilment of being a mentor and the enormous impact that our programme has created for thousands of women. Now, I invite you to join this tremendous initiative that is so close to my heart. Join our community and be part of our wave of women’s empowerment: https://bit.ly/4cPMkjv #Mentoring #Mentorship #WomensEmpowerment

There’s barely been a week this year where violence against woman and girls hasn’t been in the headlines. From famous faces abusing their power, to shocking incidents that have shaken up the entire UK. It just hasn’t stopped. In fact, it won’t stop. Unless we all do something about it. 70,600 rapes were registered in the year to June 2022, a 20% increase from the year ending March 2020. Other sexual offences rose by 21%. Source: ONS We’re taking action against violence this autumn. But we need you to join us. Make sure you’re on our mailing list to take action when our campaign goes live. https://lnkd.in/eH7CePsM

Proud to have signed this letter on behalf of The Duty Legacy and The Alliance for the Prevention of Atrocity Crimes calling for the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism for accountability in Afghanistan.

“A common theme in Naughton-Doe’s research is that professional women are a high-risk group for perinatal loneliness. ‘They are used to being busy, being valued and it’s a huge shock when they take on a role which isn’t valued, you have to learn on the job, it’s messy, and they’re thrown into this traditional role.’” This certainly resonates for me. And speaks to why we need “structural change, investment in services, fairer economic policies and greater parental leave”, so women do not have to go it largely alone. Thankful to Lucy Jones for continuing to shine a light on the often unspoken experience of so many women in their journey of Matrescence, the process of becoming a mom. (Highly recommend her book.) The Guardian #genderequality #genderequity #futureofwork #lawyermoms #womeninlaw

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the #Yazidi genocide. On 3 August 2014, ISIS launched a brutal assault on the Yazidi community in Iraq abducting over 6,000 women and children as part of their genocidal campaign. Tragically, more than 2,000 individuals remain missing to this day. Renowned human rights activist #NadiaMurad authored her memoir "The Last Girl" with the hope that she would be the last person to endure the horrors of conflict-related sexual violence and genocide. Unfortunately, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is on the rise globally. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, we honour Nadia's extraordinary story of survival and her relentless efforts to help rebuild lives. Her inspirational journey from a survivor to a global advocate for survivors of sexual violence is a testament to her unwavering courage and resilience. We encourage you to visit Nadia's Initiative and explore Nadia's recommendations for supporting the Yazidi community in their efforts to rebuild and heal. You can also listen to Nadia's conversation with Dua Lipa on "At Your Service" on Spotify, where she shares her journey and her mission to be a beacon of hope and change, a role that earned her the Nobel Peace Prize. #10YearsMissing #JusticeforYazidis #EndCRSV #ProtectSurvivors #HerVoiceMatters

Today we remember Bertha Lutz, one of only 4 women to sign the United Nations Charter in 1945. In a profession dominated by men, she was not only a diplomat, but also a zoologist and politician. She was born #OnThisDay in 1894.

Flexible working arrangements can be a game-changer for new parents and productivity, yet many still view it as detrimental to careers. However, with 95% of women fearing it will hurt their career progression and data showing remote workers are less likely to be promoted, it's clear we have work to do. Businesses and governments need to support parents and help eliminate the #motherhoodpenalty by properly supporting parents to balance their work and caring responsibilities. Let's push for policies that truly support working parents and encourage closing the #genderpaygap. Businesses and organisations simply cannot afford to let these talents go to waste. #GenderEquality #Leadership

Gender Equality must be at the heart of our future and the heart of every government for all to thrive. It is crucial that we invest in the care economy and take decisive action to eliminate gender-based violence. By doing so, we can empower every woman and girl with the safety, choices, and opportunities we deserve. #GenderEquality #CareEconomy #EndGenderViolence #WomensRights #HerVoiceMatters #InvestInEquality