No 10 launches gender equality plan but critics call it a ‘drop in the ocean’

Foreign secretary’s new strategy branded ‘meaningless’ in face of parliamentary inquiry into impact of slashing overseas funding

The UK government has launched a new strategy to advance gender equality around the world on the same day that MPs announced plans to investigate the impact of UK aid cuts on women and girls.

The global strategy, launched by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on International Women’s Day today will, it says, put more focus on gender equality in its work, while also supporting sexual and reproductive health programmes and funding grassroots women’s rights groups.