Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports she has received on the use of FGM by political parties in Sierra Leone as part of the electoral process; and what the effect is of such use on her Department's efforts to tackle FGM.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We are not aware of any formal reports of FGM being used as part of the electoral process; but with our partners we are closely monitoring all risks around the election.
DFID is committed to working with the Government of Sierra Leone to promote the rights of women and girls and will seek to work with the new Government to specifically tackle FGM in the country. Supporting Sierra Leones’ elections bodies to deliver free, fair and inclusive elections is a top priority for the UK. We are working with the National Elections Commission (NEC) and Civil Society Organizations to deliver civic and voter information better targeted to specific groups like women and persons with a disability. Efforts are underway by the UN in country to establish a women’s situation room to help monitor and tackle instances of violence against women and other vulnerable groups. The NEC is also working to make voting centres more physically accessible and/or able to provide special voting arrangements e.g. tactile ballots for the visually impaired, and table-top voting screens for mothers with small children.
Asked by: Stella Creasy (Labour (Co-op) - Walthamstow)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans she has to match the humantiarian assistance provided by the French Government to the people of St Barts, St Martin and Guadeloupe in providing emergency assistance and reconstruction funds to the people of the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Prime Minister has made available £32million to support those affected by Hurricane Irma and a cross-Government response has been stood up. DFID has sent more than 40 metric tonnes of UKaid to the region including thousands of shelter kits and of solar lanterns. Nine tonnes of food and water have been procured and are being transported to Anguilla. More supplies will be arriving throughout the month. We are also working with the Overseas Territories institutions to understand how we will move from disaster response to early recovery and long-term reconstruction. The Government will continue to do all it can to support those affected.