2015

I was delighted to be part of the UK Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Women’s Forum in Malta which took place from the 22- 24 November 2015. This was a historic event as it was the first time there had ever been a women’s forum. The theme of the Forum was: ‘Woman Ahead: Be All That You Can Be’. The Forum focused on the importance of Women’s economic, social and political empowerment and the need to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in all areas: education, health, employment, technology, political and economic decision making and the judiciary. The Forum identified the opportunities and the barriers that women face in the twenty-first century. There are 1 billion women and girls throughout the 53 countries of the commonwealth.

I attended the debate on the Bill presented by my hon friend the member for Erith and Thamesmead, Theresa Pearce on the 20 November 2015. This is an important issue as it has been shown that anyone taught Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save lives until the emergency services attend.

On Wednesday 18 November 2015 I attended the inaugural Skills and Development Awards at the House of Commons, arranged by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors.