§ 19. Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development who represented the UK Government at the DAC Expert Group on Women in Development held in Paris on the 2 and 3 October; and if she will make a statement on the meeting. [14126]
§ Clare ShortThe UK Government was representated by a Senior Social Development Adviser from my Department.
During the last 15 years the Group has played a catalytic role in ensuring that development agencies address the rights and needs of women. In the preparations for the Beijing Conference the UK served as Chair to the Group and is currently a member of the Bureau (Steering Group).
At its most recent meeting the Group changed its title to Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development Cooperation. The Group's future workplan was agreed. Major items include integrating gender into the DAC's work on poverty eradication, ensuring that gender equality is handled as a cross-cutting issue in all the development Targets and presenting Guidelines on Gender Equality for endorsement by the DAC.