17th July 2025
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy
15th July 2025
International Day of Women in Diplomacy: UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls visit to Geneva
1st May 2025
The UN Commission on the Status of Women: My first visit as UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
9th March 2014 British High Commission, Kingston, Jamaica
The message is still gender equality
Today, gender equality is just as relevant as it was in 1910, when International Women’s Day was first celebrated. Despite legislative and social advancements in favor of women’s rights, women and girls in countries like Jamaica, continue to face discrimination,violence, and a lack of economic opportunity. For its part, Jamaica has enacted legislation, which coupled with […]
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9th March 2014 Warsaw, Poland
Say Cheese – Say Caboc
Piesek P is on the lookout for GREAT British Cheese in Poland – as he finds it he’ll let you know – just smile, Say Cheese from the Scottish Highlands Beautiful lochs and massive mountains, a pleasant summer and a harsh winter. Cheese making in Scotland belongs to the clans and the crofters. While the […]
9th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Guest Blog: "Number Two" by Abeer Qumsieh
I am happy to host a blog written by Mrs. Abeer Qumsieh who is a Human Developer from Better Business Jordan, and who works closely with our UKTI Jordan team. Should I accept the fact that my community encapsulated me or should I accept the fact that I am a woman. I wake up every […]
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8th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Time to Act
International Women’s Day has been observed in different forms since in the early 1900’s. But in recent years it has gone from strength to strength and become a much more genuinely global and shared event. With such a history, we should expect to see more progress on women’s issues. But women are still not paid […]
8th March 2014 Sana’a, Yemen
International Women’s Day
Today is International Women’s Day- an annual celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women around the world. Since arriving in Yemen last year, I’ve been fortunate to meet a huge number of women from all walks of life. One of the reasons I feel optimistic about Yemen’s future is because of the […]
8th March 2014 Budapest, Hungary
Van-e remény?
A nemzetközi nőnap alkalmából L. Ritók Nóra, az Igazgyöngy Alapítvány alapítója osztja meg velünk érzéseit, gondolatait a társadalom peremén, szegénységben, hátrányos helyzetben élő roma nők, anyák, lányok helyzetéről. “Egyszer egy szociológus azt mondta, mikor nálunk, az Igazgyöngy Alapítványnál járt, hogy túl feminimek vagyunk. Akkor bosszantott ez a megjegyzése. Ma már tudom, hogy épp ezért boldogulunk könnyebben. […]
8th March 2014 Warsaw, Poland
Say Cheese -Say Blue Murder
Piesek P is on the lookout for GREAT British Cheese in Poland – as he finds it he’ll let you know – just smile, Say Cheese from the Scottish Highlands – Say Blue Murder Best known as the bassist from Blur, Alex James has also become notable for his production of cheese. After his runaway […]
7th March 2014 London, UK
Oonagh Lewis- Schools Outreach to Anthony Gell School
Oonagh Lewis, Project Task Force In January, I visited Anthony Gell School in Derbyshire to give students from Years 9 to 13 a taste of what it is like to work for the FCO. My visit was an extension of the FCO’s outreach to schools programme, which follows hot on the heels of last year’s […]
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7th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A changing benefit system
On Tuesday 11 March a group of officials from different British government departments will be in Rome to meet their Italian opposite numbers, to explain how our benefits system has changed and how it will work for those coming into the UK. On this topic, it is important to underline that we are not trying […]
7th March 2014
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
International Women’s Day: ‘women’s economic empowerment and raising girls’ aspirations’.
Upon receiving the Hillary Clinton prize for women, peace and security last month, UK Foreign Secretary Hague said, “I believe that there is no greater strategic prize of the 21st century than the full social, political and economic empowerment of all women everywhere.” [Full speech] Tomorrow is the 103rd International Women’s Day. A great deal […]
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