Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to promote the protection of women human rights defenders in Colombia, especially those supporting victims of sexual- and gender-based violence.

The UK is unwavering in its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, as the Foreign Secretary made clear in last November's 25th anniversary events, and we are looking to refresh the UK WPS National Action Plan this year, to ensure continued international leadership on the issue.

In Colombia, the UK supports human rights defenders and victims through programming and diplomatic engagement, and - following the launch of Colombia's own WPS National Action Plan, which the UK supported - we continue to work with the Colombian Government and civil society to support its implementation. UK funding has helped advance accountability and ensure access to services for thousands of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Colombia over the last decade. This includes supporting the Colombian transitional justice system to open the first macro case on sexual violence.