Written question asked by Siobhain McDonagh (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 January 2023. It was answered by Leo Docherty (Conservative) on Monday, 30 January 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Community Orders: Women

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to support Afghan civil society in delivering (a) humanitarian and (b) development assistance to vulnerable women and girls in that country.

Answer: Since April 2021, the Government has disbursed £514 million in aid for Afghanistan. We contribute to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund which includes a $20 million programme of support to Afghan civil society. The Government has committed to at least 50 per cent of our aid in Afghanistan reaching women and girls. We fund programmes that target women and girls, aimed at tackling gender-based violence and providing health and sexual reproductive health services. We continue to press the Taliban to reverse their ban on female aid workers as Afghan women are critical in providing life-saving support to women and girls.

Secondary information