The United Kingdom government has confirmed that Baroness Harriet Harman has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Women and Girls. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the role today, which is a part-time and unpaid position. Baroness Harman is tasked with advising the Prime Minister on how to mobilise the government to better serve women across the country.
In her new capacity, the Baroness will collaborate with ministers to push an agenda focused on three main pillars. These include the eradication of violence against women and girls, the creation of economic opportunities and the improvement of female representation. She will also use her experience working with women in the UK Parliament to identify necessary steps to combat misogyny and create more paths for women in public and parliamentary life.
A significant part of her remit involves working alongside the Cabinet Secretary. This partnership aims to change the internal culture within Ministerial offices and the Civil Service to improve delivery for women and enhance professional opportunities. Baroness Harman has a long history of advocacy in the United Kingdom, specifically regarding maternity rights and political representation. During her tenure as Solicitor General, she prioritised the fight against domestic violence.
This previous work led to the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act. This legislation improved the prosecution process for domestic abuse and established a network of 60 specialist courts. The appointment comes at a time when the UK government has classified the level of violence against women as a national emergency. The current administration has pledged to halve these crimes within ten years through its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. This strategy focuses on preventing violence before it begins and providing better support for survivors. Baroness Harman will report her findings and progress directly to Keir Starmer as the government seeks to fulfil these national commitments.
