MP backs International Women's Day in Parliament

12.00.00am GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce is giving his support to International Women's Day today (Monday 8th March) and urges his constituents to play their part.

Mr Bruce is a long standing advocate of action to improve women's rights, especially in the developing world. As Chairman of the International Development Committee, he has helped secure funding for development projects which support women and girls in rebuilding their lives and communities.

To support the campaign, Mr Bruce has signed a Parliamentary Motion tabled by fellow Scottish Liberal Democrat Jo Swinson which notes the role that women play in building links for peace.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bruce also spoke of the plight of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The MP believes that amongst the most savage and brutal attacks and rapes on women anywhere in the world takes place in this conflict afflicted country. Mr Bruce pressed International Development ministers to do all they can to apply international pressure which would help give women in the DRC the right to life and the right to equality in life which they are so often denied.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Bruce said:

"International Women's Day is an excellent opportunity to mark the work done by women around the world in developing their communities for the future. I know from my work on the International Development Committee that so often, the burden of conflicts in developing nations lands squarely on the women of that country."

ENDS