Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 29 December 2025 (HL12894), what specific plans they have, if any, to develop the work of the network of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We remain committed to UK leadership in defending and driving forward the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, including through our role as penholder on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The UK's WPS National Action Plan sets out the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's commitment to improving women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in political dialogue and peace processes.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington 13 January 2026 (HL13296), what plans they have to support the network of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discontinued funding to this specific programme at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, but - as set out in my previous answers - we remain committed to UK leadership in driving forward the Women, Peace and Security agenda, through other programmes in the Commonwealth and beyond, and through our role as penholder on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the practice of animals not being stunned prior to slaughter; and what assessment they have made of meat produced by this method being sold to the general market and exported abroad.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter and would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter. However, the Government respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Major retailers have sourcing policies requiring that fresh meat comes from animals that have been stunned before slaughter. They may operate limited concessions for halal or kosher food that will be clearly labelled. Stunning before slaughter is also required by some farm assurance schemes, such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured.

During the survey week for the 2024 Food Standards Agency Slaughter Sector Survey, 97% of poultry and 85% of red meat animals were stunned before slaughter. The Survey also sets out responses to where the meat was reported to be destined, including whether it was exported.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of allegations of sexual and gender based violence against women and girls from ethnic minority groups in Syria, including abduction as sex slaves, and how the UK is supporting documentation, survivor assistance, and accountability in the context of those allegations, including in remote areas.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 1 August 2025 to the question HL9684.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of attacks and sexual violence against the Kurds in North East Syria; and what discussions they have held with the governments of Turkey and Syria about these attacks.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to my written ministerial statement HLWS1285, made on 28 January.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the new government of Syria regarding the protection and political inclusion of the Kurds and other minorities in the new government.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to my written ministerial statement HLWS1285, made on 28 January.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the rights and needs of all ages of women, especially older women, in their engagement at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK is committed to affirming the principles of the Beijing Declaration and promoting the rights and freedoms of women and girls across the world. We will seek opportunities throughout the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to highlight the rights and needs of older women throughout the UK delegation's engagement. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Office for Equality and Opportunity will consult with a range of civil society organisations, including organisations representing older women, before and during CSW itself.

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