British Indian MP Seema Malhotra has been appointed the first ever shadow minister tasked with tackling violence against women in Britain, Opposition leader Ed Miliband announced.
Seema Malhotra, 42, who will join Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's front bench team, will champion the needs of all victims of rape, domestic and sexual violence, as well as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, trafficking and prostitution, a statement on the Labour Party website said Monday.
Commenting on her appointment, Malhotra said, "It is significant that Labour has made this issue such a priority and I look forward to working with colleagues to try and make a real difference to women who have experienced huge trauma in their lives."
Malhotra was elected Labour Co-operative Party MP for Feltham and Heston constituency in west London in December 2011.
The former management consultant will also play an important role in shaping Labour's Women's Safety Commission to develop proposals for legislation to tackle violence against women and girls, which will be prioritised if the Labour Party comes to power.
"I am delighted that Seema has agreed to become Labour's first ever Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence against Women and Girls. She undoubtedly brings real expertise to this important role," Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband said.
A shadow minister is a member of the main opposition party in Parliament who would hold ministerial office if their party were in power.
--Indo-Asian News Service
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