§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many women were invited by Mr Jay Garner to the meeting held in Baghdad on 28 April to plan the future of Iraq; and whether they will propose to Mr Garner that further meetings on the proposed interim authority or on reconstruction should consist of equal numbers of men and women. [HL2678]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:The US-led Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance issued invitations to participate in the meeting in Baghdad on 28 April. Twelve Iraqi women were invited. The Government are committed to promoting the inclusion of women in all phases and at all levels of the reconstruction of Iraq, in line with UN Resolution 1325 (October 2000). We propose that future meetings on the proposed interim authority should include a range of opinions and interest groups, but we cannot say whether equal numbers of men and women will attend.