Official Development Assistance: Vulnerable Children

Baroness D'Souza Excerpts

Monday 23rd June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I cannot speak for what will be in the national security strategy, but my noble friend is absolutely right in what he says about conflict. We will continue to support work on conflict prevention, with, as the Chamber will want to know, a particular focus on the impact on children, who often feel the brunt when conflict happens. They are, sadly, still subject to horrific violence, including sexual violence, in conflict, and this is something that the UK will never take its eye off.

[Baroness D'Souza (CB)]

My Lords, the Government regularly provide updates on aid to Afghanistan with a special focus on women and girls, and these are very welcome. Can the Minister say what progress has been achieved in the secondary education of girls, and whether the newly appointed special envoy, Mr Richard Lindsay, will be pursuing this?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We continue to support work on education, particularly in Afghanistan. As the noble Baroness and other noble Lords will know, it is a particularly difficult context in which to operate, and the impact, especially on girls, is profound. We will continue to work through our partners in Afghanistan to do whatever we can to support girls in that horrendous situation.