Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has been made the new UK special envoy for women and girls.
The former minister will “co-ordinate efforts across the globe” to push for the protection of rights over reproductive health, access to education and freedom from gender-based violence, the Foreign Office said.
But concerns have been raised in the charity sector that the appointment is “more symbol over substance” after cuts to the UK’s aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending.
Baroness Harman said the “job is far from done towards ending women’s inequality” and promised Britain would play a “key role in standing up for the rights of all women and girls at a critical time”.
The government said it was “accelerating action to change women’s lives” on International Women’s Day.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer slashed aid spending to fund defence commitments he said were necessary to protect the UK amid uncertainty over the future of the Ukraine war and its implications for European security.
Anneliese Dodds resigned as international development minister over the decision, which will see the budget cut from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in the next two years. Defence spending is set to rise from its current 2.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent by 2027.
Baroness Harman said: “Over the last decades we have made tremendous strides towards ending women’s inequality. But the job is far from done. Women and girls are still not equal, and many still face oppression, violence and discrimination.
“It’s a great honour to have been appointed UK Special Envoy For Women and Girls and look forward to driving this important work.
“The UK will, in coalition with women around the world, play a key role in standing up for the rights of all women and girls at a critical time.”
But ActionAid UK said that without new funding, her appointment was “papering over the cracks” of a struggling aid sector.
Hannah Bond, co-CEO at the organisation, said: “The appointment is a welcome step, and with a strong track record, Baroness Harman could drive real change.
“But on International Women’s Day, without funding to back it up, it risks being more symbol than substance.
“Deep cuts to the UK’s ODA budget—both last week and in recent years—will gut vital programmes that support women and girls.
“This appointment won’t restore what’s been swept away—only sustained investment in women’s rights organisations and frontline services can.
“If this role is to create the urgent change we need, it must come with the backing and resources, to undo the damage.
“Otherwise, the government risks just papering over the cracks.”
Baroness Harman served as MP for Peckham for more than 40 years, as well as taking up a number of ministerial positions including the women and equalities brief in the New Labour governments of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
She was deputy leader of the party from 2007 to 2015 and twice served as acting leader after the resignations of Mr Brown and Ed Miliband.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “I am delighted to appoint Harriet Harman as the new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls.
“Accelerating action on equality for women and girls is vital to delivering the global economic growth we need and, a safer, more secure world.
“Harriet has spent her career championing women’s rights and gender equality.
“Her record of achievement and personal commitment make her a formidable advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world.”
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, who took over as international development minister following Ms Dodds’ resignation, said: “Harriet Harman is a legend on women’s rights and is rightly regarded as a pioneer and an inspiration to women in the UK and across the world, including me.
“I am thrilled she has been appointed Special Envoy, and I look forward to working with her on protecting hard-won rights and creating more opportunities for women.”