§ Ms McCaffertyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the Government's policy on working to eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation in developing countries. [57534]
§ Clare ShortFemale genital mutilation is both a health and a human rights issue. It contravenes several United Nations Conventions. The Government's policy is to try to persuade countries where the practice occurs to take steps to reduce and eventually eliminate it. Most Governments oppose it, and welcome assistance from donor partners to change attitudes within their countries. In other cases, we try to exert influence through quiet300W diplomacy and by providing support to strengthen laws against harmful traditional practices. Supporting efforts to help women exercise their human rights is a key part of the Department for International Development's (DFID) strategy.
At the 1998 session of the UN Commission on Human Rights the UK co-sponsored a resolution—"The elimination of violence against women"—which called upon states to eradicate traditional or customary practices, particularly female genital mutilation, that are harmful or discriminate against women, through the development and implementation of national legislation and policies prohibiting such practices, the prosecution of perpetrators, awareness-raising programmes, education and training.
Care for the consequences of female genital mutilation in poorer countries is extremely limited. Many complications go untreated. We are seeking to help in three main ways:
by ensuring wide awareness of the issue;by funding research;by supporting activities and projects designed to change behaviour in the long term; for example, we finance local and regional workshops to identify priorities at field level to which donors can respond.
§ Ms McCaffertyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development which young girls' and women's health projects have included education on female genital mutilation in each year since the endorsement of the 1994 Cairo Plan of Action by the UK Government; which NGOs have carried out those projects and in which countries; and what was the total amount of funding for these projects in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [57535]
§ Clare ShortThis information could not be fully collected in the time available. I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy in the Library of this House.