Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Monday, 18 April 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 May 2016. It was answered by Baroness Verma (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 May 2016 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Bangladesh: Women

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place with the government of Bangladesh about reforms of religious laws on marriage, divorce and separation and their impact on women's economic situation.

Answer

At the heart of the UK’s strategy in Bangladesh is the recognition that empowering girls and women is the key to reducing poverty and driving sustainable economic growth. Combined with an improved enabling environment which makes girls and women feel secure at home or at work, this allows women to reach their full potential, resulting in job creation and higher incomes for women, as well as improved access to more efficiently produced goods and services.

UK aid funds the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) which we work in partnership with to promote the rights of women and children in the religious legal system in Bangladesh. For example, since 2009, MJF have advocated for the enactment of the Hindu Marriage Act, which was passed in 2012, and further strengthening of the law which would give the wife rights over her husband’s property and thus impact her economic situation. MJF and its partners are also working at a local level to mobilise communities to make use of the law.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL7705
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Women Divorce Economic situation Marriage Religion Separation Legal systems Bangladesh
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk