Adrian Sanders (Torbay, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to help progress women's rights in Morocco; and if he will make a statement.
Alan Duncan (Minister of State, International Development; Rutland and Melton, Conservative)
The UK Government are strengthening women's rights across the middle east and North Africa,
particularly by securing greater political and economic participation
for women. As part of our Arab Partnership Participation Fund (APPF)
we have worked effectively with project partners to ensure that gender
issues are taken into account For example we have ensured that training
courses provided for journalists or MPs have a balance of female and
male participants. This year we will support a project in Morocco which
will support women MPs through the Parliamentary Women's Forum to
influence and promote key bills, particularly those entailing changes to the constitution.
Through our Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF) we are working with the International Financial Institutions
to provide greater economic opportunities for women. This support will
increase access to finance for female entrepreneurs across the region to
set up and develop micro, small and medium sized enterprises.