§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has spent on women's leadership training in(a) newly democratic and (b) developing nations in the last five years. [16682]
§ Clare ShortThe statistics requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost but my Department puts women's empowerment at the heart of its work.
It starts with: girl's access to basic education and completion of primary schools; support for civil society organisations that represent the needs of and advocate for women in decision-making roles; education of the whole community about the rights of women and girls.
Women's leadership training needs to be built on these foundations.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals her Department has for funding leadership training for women in Afghanistan once stability has been restored. [16681]
§ Clare ShortIt is the responsibility of the entire international community to ensure that the women of Afghanistan are fully involved in the new political settlement in Afghanistan.
As reconstruction activities begin, the programmes that we support will be designed and monitored to ensure that women and girls benefit. Women are both often the poorest members of communities, and the best organisers. Participation of women in public life is therefore integral to our approach.