Monday 14 March I start the week in Brasilia, the political capital of Brazil. I have travelled here from Chile where I attended the inauguration of the new president on Friday and have spent the weekend meeting foreign policy experts and meeting women scientists to discuss a new scholarship program we are launching to enable brilliant scientist to take Masters courses at UK universities. I also met an awesome environmental campaigner and heard about the work he is doing to tackle ocean plastic and protect marine live.
In Brasilia I meet ministers at their foreign office. Brazil is a very important country, the most populated country in Latin America and is often considered a leader in the region. It is a major food producer and they are also currently a member of the UN Security Council. We discuss regional and global issues, including the desperate situation in Ukraine as well as trade and security matters. At COP 26 in Glasgow Brazil made commitments to prevent deforestation, we talk about the work that needs to be done to turn these commitments into reality. I head off to the airport for a long overnight journey to New York.
Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 March I arrive in New York to represent the UK at the United Nation’s annual Commission on the Status of Women. The main theme of this year’s conference is about climate change but there are many other issues also being discussed. I speak at various events, including in the UN itself as well as some on line on topics including tackling sexual violence in conflict, ending child marriage, the role of women negotiators in peace agreements and education for girls. I discuss access to sexual and reproductive health with the head of the UN Family Planning Agency.
The war in Ukraine is having a dreadful impact on women, children and vulnerable people. We know that refugees are at risk of sexual abuse and from people traffickers. It is so important that the international community continues to stand firm in condemning the Russian invasion. I also use the time in New York to meet up with representatives of many other countries, including the three African members of the UN Security Council, Kenya, Ghana and Gabon as well as the representatives of over thirty small island developing states. It is a very packed couple of days.
Thursday 17 March Back in London after an overnight flight I head to the House of Commons to listen to my neighbouring MP, Kemi Badenoch give a statement on the work on a new action plan for an Inclusive Britain. This has been a massive amount of work by Kemi over the past few years and I am deeply impressed by the thought that has gone into the project as well as the policy announcements.
At the Foreign Office I host a round table event to catch up on the situation in Afghanistan. Children are due to be returning to school next week after their long holiday. The start of a new term should be an exciting and positive time for children. I am thinking of them, especially the girls.
Friday 18 March I end the week with a busy day in Chelmsford, including a constituency surgery and an excellent visit to the charity Essex Youth Build. Here teenagers are learning skills including carpentry, electrical and bricklaying. There are huge smiles on their faces as they show me what they are doing and their plans to apply for apprenticeship roles. Spring is in the air as I take a walk around Great Baddow delivering my annual report and chatting with residents.
