§ 16. Mr. Geraint DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to improve the education and productivity of women to reduce poverty in the developing world. [123186]
§ Clare ShortEducating girls and the economic empowerment of women are top priorities in our international development programme. The evidence shows that educating girls is the single most effective way of promoting development. We are committed to helping achieve the international development target of closing gender gaps in primary and secondary education by 2005. Our bilateral and multilateral programmes are placing increasing emphasis on this work.
The pursuit of gender equality in all areas of development lies at the heart of our programme. A good deal of effort is being directed towards improving women's livelihood security, productivity, and economic independence.