§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much development aid was paid by her Department to schemes aimed at empowering women in(a) 1998, (b) 2000 and (c) 2002; and if she will list the projects concerned. [102236]
§ Clare ShortBecause women make up 70 per cent. of the world's poor DFID puts women's empowerment at the heart of its work, actively pursuing it in the mainstream of all development activities. It begins with girls' access to basic education and completion of primary schooling; support for civil society organisations that represent women's needs and advocate for women in decision-making roles; and education of the whole community about the rights of women and girls.
DFID expenditure on support including women's empowerment and gender equality as a principal or significant objective is available by financial year:
£million 1998–99 26.4 1999–2000 56.9 2000–01 90.7 2001–02 166.9 A project list cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.