Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support the key principles outlined in its guidance note, Shifting social norms to tackle violence against women and girls, published on 20 January 2016; and if she will make a statement.

Violence against women and girls is unacceptable. In order to deliver long term change we need to address the negative attitudes expectations and behaviours relating to women and girls; both integrating across programmes and standalone projects. DFID is the only international development donor with a dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls Team working to embed best practice, including on shifting social norms to tackle violence against women and girls, across UK Aid programmes. This approach is achieving results.