§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's policy on the peace process in Sudan. [64805]
§ Clare ShortThe day-to-day co-ordination of UK Government policy on the Sudan peace process is led by Alan Goulty, UK Special Representative for Sudan. Alan Goulty reports jointly to both the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development. He is supported by a joint DFID/FC0 team, the Sudan Unit.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan regarding the legalisation of female genital mutilation. [64601]
§ Clare ShortOur embassy in Khartoum has made representations at ministerial level in Khartoum, both bilaterally and in co-ordination with EU Partners, on the Sudanese Government's reported plans to legalise female genital mutilation (FGM). The Government of Sudan reassured us that there were no plans to legalise the practice. The embassy also works closely with Sudanese civil society groups in advocating the eradication of FGM. It forms part of the campaign for ratification of the UN Convention on the Eradication of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in which we have actively supported the growing women's rights movement and UN attempts to address these issues. In particular, our embassy has ongoing contact with UNICEF. We have also funded various projects aimed at eradication of FGM, including the national advocacy campaign for 2002–03.