Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the Government’s objectives are for the fifty ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women; and if she will make a statement.

The Commission on the Status of Women is recognised worldwide as being the major international forum to progress women’s rights.

The UK ‘s objectives for CSW59 are to:

· Achieve a strong Political Declaration that publicly reaffirms commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action and calls for a strong and explicit commitment to achieve gender equality, the empowerment and the realisation of the human rights of women and girls in the post 2015 framework. Ensure the document does not include regressive language or roll back on progress;

· Ensure that the CSW Working Method Resolution reaffirms CSW as the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality, the empowerment and the human rights of women and girls and that it is fit for purpose post-2015;

· In the run up to CSW build a positive negotiation climate with other member states, UN bodies and civil society;

· Enhance the UK’s reputation as an international leader in advancing the rights of girls and women.

Through the UK Statement and other means we will seek to progress the UK’s key domestic and international priorities for women which include preventing sexual violence in conflict situations, challenging social norms such as female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage, women's economic empowerment, access to education, violence against women and girls and sexual and reproductive health and rights.