Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 October 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 October 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry;Minister for Women

Question: To ask the Minister for Women, what follow-up action has taken place in the United Kingdom following the Voice of the Women of Iraq conference on 9th July. - (Holding answer 14 October 2003).

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Minister for Women what follow-up action has taken place in the United Kingdom following the Voice of the Women of Iraq conference on 9 July. [132148] Ms Hewitt: [holding answer 14 October 2003]: Since the Voice of Women of Iraq conference that I attended in July, the Government have seconded two gender experts to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad and Basra. They will take forward the work started in May by the secondee from my Women and Equality Unit, in supporting Iraqi women and to help determine a national policy for women. I continue to meet with a group of Iraqi women to listen to their concerns and experiences, as well as discuss ways to support Iraqi women during this critical phase. I have continued to stress the need to ensure substantial women's representation in all strands of the rapidly evolving political and reconstruction process at the highest level.

Secondary information