Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Friday, 19 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 26 March 2004. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Friday, 26 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what efforts (a) his Department and (b) the Coalition Provisional Authority are taking to ensure that the judicial system in Iraq offers equal justice for women.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts (a) his Department and (b) the Coalition Provisional Authority are taking to ensure that the judicial system in Iraq offers equal justice for women. [163405] Hilary Benn: DFID is funding a programme of Justice Sector Support, which is delivering training on international human rights law to 988 members of Iraq's judiciary, prosecution service and Bar Association. This includes training on women's rights. Through support to the Judicial Training Institute and the Iraqi Bar Association, the programme will also promote the professional role of women in the justice system. This is an important start to addressing women's access to justice. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has been monitoring the potential impact of new legislation on women's access to justice. The UK has been a strong advocate of women's rights in Iraq. This is a priority in DFID's interim Country Assistance Plan for Iraq, copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 419 c1108W;419 c1110W; 163405
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Administration of justice Development aid Women Iraq Legal systems
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk