Email your MP: #EndCOVIDForAll
Find your local rep
Compose your email
Subject:
#EndCOVIDForAll
My name is _____. I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about our neighbours around the world who are under-resourced and struggling to respond to the devastating health and economic fallout from COVID-19. I welcome the Government’s recent announcements of additional financial support of $1.1 billion over four years for COVID-19 response and recovery in South East Asia and the Pacific. But we cannot stop there. As the impacts of the pandemic deepen, Australia must continue to step up its support for developing countries so that no-one is left behind in this crisis. However, as the Government begins to discuss the upcoming 2021-22 Federal budget, it is critical that Australia responds to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis by increasing our international aid contributions. Without immediate aid from wealthy countries like Australia, COVID-19 could push over 143-163 million people into extreme poverty by 2021. Women and girls are most at risk, with widespread job losses hitting women in low paid and precarious employment the hardest. ActionAid research has also shown an alarming spike in violence against women since the emergence of COVID-19 as women bear the brunt of the social, health and economic impacts of this crisis. In many low-income countries, women are struggling to access the support they need because governments do not have enough resources to adequately fund healthcare and other public services, including violence against women services. It is crucial that wealthy countries like Australia step up our support for low-income countries so they can take urgent action to save lives and livelihoods. Australia can stand with women in low-income countries by: 1. Increasing Australian aid by 15 percent in the 2021-22 aid budget. This would bring the 2021-22 aid budget to approximately $5 billion and better enable developing countries to respond to COVID-19 and facilitate sustainable development. Half of this funding should be allocated to Least Developed Countries that are most vulnerable to increases in extreme poverty. 2. Establishing a clear pathway to increase aid to at least 0.7 percent of GNI by 2025. A clear timetable should be published that details a credible pathway to increase Australian aid to at least 0.7 percent of GNI over the next 5 years. This will ensure that Australia meet its global obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals. 3. Commit a minimum of $304m over 8 years to Pacific Women Lead. This would ensure that Australia builds on the momentum established by Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development and ensure that gender responsive COVID-19 response and recovery can continue into the future. 20 percent of funding from Pacific Women Lead should be allocated to local and national women’s rights organisations, movement strengthening and research. 4. Commit $100m in funding to locally led violence against women services. Targeted funding for violence against women services is necessary to respond to the startling rise in gender-based violence and to ensure that survivors can access the support they need. I ask that you raise these concerns with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the lead up to the Federal Budget. I look forward to any updates following the Federal Budget.
Yes, send me updates from ActionAid Australia
No, do not send me updates from ActionAid Australia
If you choose no, you will not receive ANY emails from ActionAid Australia even if you were on our list previously. Remember you can also unsubscribe later at any time.
Share this campaign...
Share
Share
Tweet
Tweet
Email
Email