International Women’s Day

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

Thursday 6th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords, it is an absolute privilege to take part in this debate to mark International Women’s Day. I congratulate all those who gave their maiden speech today. In particular, I look forward to working with the noble Baroness, Lady Alexander, and the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Penybont, to further devolution. Llongyfarchiadau, a dwi’n edrych ymlaen i gydweithio—I look forward to working with you both.

As a Welsh woman, I feel compelled to begin by reflecting on a key historical contribution of Welsh women internationally. Five years after the First World War, a group of courageous women in Wales embarked on a campaign for peace that would become a symbol of hope and unity. The Welsh women’s peace petition, which began its journey in 1923, was the brainchild of a group of determined women. This petition spanned seven miles in length. It was signed by 390,296 Welsh women and carried across the Atlantic to the United States in an oak chest by four remarkable women: Annie Hughes-Griffiths, Mary Ellis, Elined Prys and Gladys Thomas. Among those signatories was my great-great-grandmother, who was from Neath Port Talbot. It is remarkable to think that, in 2023, 100 years after it was first signed, this petition returned to Wales and was digitised for the world to see at the National Library of Wales. I look forward to visiting an upcoming exhibition about the petition at Storiel in Bangor.

This campaign and the women who initiated it highlighted the long history of Welsh women engaging in global causes. It is fitting, therefore, that we reflect on their example as we discuss the role of women in the world today. As we mark this International Women’s Day, we must consider the current state of global affairs. Just last week, while the defence budget received a significant increase, we learned that the international aid budget is set to be reduced by £6 billion a year. This is a troubling shift—one that disproportionately affects women and girls around the world.

We must carefully consider the impact these cuts will have on some of the most pressing challenges that women face globally, including in sexual and reproductive health and rights. When we discuss the rights of women and girls, particularly their sexual and reproductive health, we cannot ignore the role that STEM has played in improving women’s lives. Innovations in these fields have allowed for advances that not only benefit women’s health but provide greater autonomy, allowing women to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

The development of contraceptive methods, fertility treatments and safe childbirth procedures has given women more control over their reproductive choices and their futures. In addition to medical breakthroughs, the role of technology cannot be overstated. Telemedicine, for example, allows women in rural areas to access reproductive health services remotely. Mobile apps help women track menstrual cycles, fertility windows and pregnancy progress, further empowering them to make informed decisions. I must emphasise that the health data that women share on these apps must be protected by tech companies and not sold on, as I share the concern of the noble Baroness, Lady Hazarika, about the anti-abortion laws in the USA. Tech companies must not be allowed to weaponise fertility tracking apps to vilify women getting abortions. Data science has also played a crucial role in predicting and controlling the spread of STIs and in shaping public health policies that guide sexual and reproductive health education.

Despite these remarkable advancements, significant challenges remain in many low-income and rural areas across the globe. Access to sexual and reproductive health services is still limited. Cultural stigmas continue to hinder open discussions, and gender disparities in STEM fields restrict the contributions of women in reproductive health research and innovation. To overcome these barriers, we must invest in STEM education for young girls and women, ensuring that their voices and perspectives are represented in the research and innovations that shape reproductive health policies. STEM has already transformed sexual and reproductive health, making it safer, more effective and more accessible. It has given women greater autonomy and allowed for the development of life-saving medications. We must continue to harness this power of STEM to alleviate poverty and contribute to economic and social development globally.

As we see the cuts to the UK’s overseas development assistance budget, I urge His Majesty’s Government to recognise that investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights is not only morally imperative but highly cost effective. Research in these areas has the potential to yield substantial returns—£100 for every pound invested. Will His Majesty’s Government consider ring-fencing sexual and reproductive health and rights funding within the aid budget? Women and girls across the globe deserve the chance to thrive, and it is our responsibility to make sure that they have the tools and support they need to do so.