Indian-origin MP Seema Malhotra appointed shadow minister in UK

LONDON: Indian-origin British MP Seema Malhotra has been appointed as the Labour party's first-ever shadow minister dealing with violence against women and girls.

42-year-old Malhotra was named shadow minster by Britain's Opposition party leader Ed Miliband.

Malhotra's role will also involve working on Labour's Women's Safety Commission, which will draw up laws to be enacted if Miliband wins the next election.

A shadow minister is a member of the main opposition party in Parliament who would hold ministerial office if their party were in power.

The Feltham and Heston MP said there was a "shocking" level of violence against women both in Britain and abroad, and too little was being done to help victims.

"I feel very proud to have been appointed as the Labour party's first-ever shadow minister for preventing violence against women and girls.

"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," 'The Guardian' quoted her as saying.