HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc220-1W
Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will support the call from Afghanistan's Minister for Women's Affairs for 25 per cent. female representation on the Loya Jirga being organised under the auspices of the UN. [47700]

Hilary Benn

We welcome the announcement by the Special Commission for the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirga on 31 March on the procedures and criteria for the selection of delegates for the Emergency Loya Jirga. This includes a quota of 165 seats for women: approximately 11 per cent. of the total Emergency Loya Jirga delegation. This is the highest proportion of women included in any Loya Jirga in Afghan history, and as such is an important first step in ensuring that the views of women will be represented. We will continue to urge the Special Commission for the Emergency Loya Jirga to actively encourage more Afghan women to participate in the political process.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 5 February 2002,Official Report,column 916W, on her Department's office in Kabul, what jobs are filled by Afghan (a)women and (b)men at the office. [47656]

Hilary Benn

25 Afghan staff are employed in the DFID office in Kabul: 24 of whom are male, and one female. National staff are predominantly employed as programme officers, programme assistants, security guards, drivers and housekeepers. The female Afghan member of staff is employed as a housekeeper.

All DFID positions for national staff in Afghanistan are advertised publicly with a notice encouraging women to apply.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she has received a report from UNIFEM on the meeting held in Kabul with the Association of Afghan Women on 7 and 8 March; and if she will make a statement. [47699]

Hilary Benn

The UNIFEM report of the meeting held in Kabul with the Association of Afghan Women in March has not yet been published. We have requested a copy of the final report when it is issued.