Simita Kumar

Our Programme for Government commits to funding organisations under significant pressure, including rape crisis centres providing justice advocacy who have closed their waiting lists for that support.

We are taking forward our strongest ever plan to tackle violence against women and girls, including supporting specialist services for victims and survivors when they need it most.

The UK Government’s cuts to international aid are deeply concerning, particularly the scale of reductions confirmed for Malawi.

We are living through unpredictable shifts in global politics, making it all too easy to overlook the enormous humanitarian impact of war on the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all those who are experiencing domestic abuse, which we know is predominantly women and girls.

This removes a significant barrier for domestic abuse victims, the vast majority of whom are women and are too often trapped by violence.

Domestic abuse must be eradicated from our society and I am determined to protect the housing rights of women and children, working with the sector to find victims the safest and most suitable form of accommodation to begin to rebuild…

We must stand against racism, hatred and intimidation and those who would seek to divide our communities.

Scotland is a diverse, multicultural, inclusive and welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.

Any form of hatred, prejudice, intolerance or violence is abhorrent – and perpetrators will be brought to justice.

We strongly urge the UK Government to reconsider the scale of these reductions and to set out clearly how it intends to maintain meaningful support for countries facing significant development challenges.

The newly published UK aid allocations are deeply concerning. The scale of the reductions now confirmed for Malawi is particularly alarming.

Scotland has a proud tradition of standing with communities in their darkest hours and will play its part in supporting the international humanitarian effort in Venezuela.

My heart goes out to everyone in Venezuela who has lost their loved ones or their home in the wake of these devastating earthquakes.