Parliamentary Search

Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Walmsley (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Thursday, 6 March 2014.

Uganda: Teatment of Women

Question

I thank my noble friend for her reply, but is she aware that public statements by Ugandan Ministers have suggested that the Government really support the sort of behaviour that has resulted from this ban? Is she aware that evidence in this country about men who coerce their wives and partners about what they wear shows that that often leads further to violence against those women? I welcome the British High Commission’s public statement opposing the anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda. Will the British High Commission do something similar in relation to this particular legislation?

Answer

Again, for the sake of noble Lords who do not know what we are talking about, this is in relation to a particular piece of legislation that was designed to be anti-pornography, but the definition of pornography was drafted so widely that it effectively covered what women could and could not be perceived to wear in public, including a ban on miniskirts. In relation to the particular question, I assure my noble friend that we have made incredibly strong submissions,

both publicly and privately, about the Anti-Pornography Act and the impact that it has had on women because of the unfortunate way that society has responded to what is perceived to be the law, as well as in relation to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was passed in February of this year.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
752 c1438 
Session
2013-14
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2014-0627
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects
Clothing Women Human rights Uganda
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk