Rights Retreating

About

The Jeremy Hutchinson Memorial Lecture 2025
Women's rights are under attack and have faced significant erosions over the past few decades across the world. From the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in the US to the evisceration of women's rights in Afghanistan, these setbacks reflect a broader pushback against gender equality, threatening women's autonomy and hard-won progress. The role of law and advocacy in the fight for justice and equality has never seemed more vital.

Cherie Blair is a leading King's Counsel who has led landmark cases in human rights and gender justice. Breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field throughout her career, she established international law firm Omina Strategy in 2011 which specialises in dispute prevention and resolution around the world. She founded the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2008, empowering over 250,000 women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries through mentoring and training programmes. A vocal advocate of economic empowerment, gender equity and access to justice, Blair's work bridges law, equality, business and technology.

This annual lecture is held in honour of the renowned barrister Jeremy Hutchinson who had a life-long association with Charleston and the Bloomsbury group, and celebrates his lifelong commitment to advocacy, civil liberty and freedom of speech.