Written question asked by Michael Connarty (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2011. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Afghanistan: Females

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Afghan government on the involvement of women in the political processes at all levels in Afghanistan;

Answer: At the International Conference on Afghanistan in Bonn on 5 December, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), stated that:"““The principle of inclusiveness is vital, so that all Afghanistan's people have a stake in the country's future””."The Conference, chaired by Afghanistan, agreed a clear set of guiding principles for the reconciliation process and its outcomes and also an inclusive, representative peace process. The Conference also made clear that the fundamental rights of women and children are key for Afghanistan's future.The Government's International Violence Against Women Champion, the Minister for Equalities, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone), also attended the Civil Society Forum on Afghanistan held in Bonn on 2-3 December, where she reiterated the UK Government's commitment to an inclusive political process in Afghanistan and the importance of the protection of Afghan women's rights.We will continue to make clear to the Government of Afghanistan that any political process should be inclusive and address the concerns of all Afghan citizens.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 86161; 537 c768-9W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: UN Women
Monday, 27 February 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Women Afghanistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk