Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase direct funding and support for local women- and girl-led organisations and movements.

The new UK International Strategic Framework on Women & Girls sets out a new commitment that, by 2030, at least 90 per cent of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office bilateral official development assistance programmes will have a focus on protecting the rights and safety of women and girls. In keeping with our new approach to development, we will continue to support and fund local, women-led groups who are best placed to drive real change in their own communities.

The Framework also outlines our commitment to supporting women-led and women's rights organisations (WROs), championing their leadership and expertise and building new partnerships, collaborations and funding to secure sustainable long-term finance. Our flagship £39 million global programme is working to strengthen grassroots WROs and movements, including through our partnership with the Equality Fund.