Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the particular effect of modern slavery on adolescent girls; and if she will make a statement.

DFID is at the forefront of the UK’s international efforts to end violence against, and abuse and exploitation of adolescent girls. Adolescence is a critical time when a person’s experiences, and the decisions taken by them and for them, affect the rest of their lives. In supporting and protecting adolescent girls, we are empowering the decision makers, peacebuilders and business leaders of the future.

The UK is taking action to end modern slavery in all its forms in line with Sustainable Development Goals 16.2, 8.7 and 5.2. We are leading efforts to increase support for, and implementation of, the Prime Minister’s “Call to Action to end Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking” launched in 2017 and now endorsed by over 80 countries. We continue to work with communities, governments, civil society and the private sector to push for action at all levels to protect the most vulnerable, including adolescent girls. Since 2017 we have more than doubled UK aid spending to tackle modern slavery – committing just over £200 million to date. DFID funded programmes make up the bulk of this aid and includes work to reduce vulnerability to exploitation and address the permissive environments which allow exploitation to exist and thrive.