International Development Outcomes for Women and Girls

Earl of Courtown Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2026 Grand Committee

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Sugg for bringing this debate forward. Her long-standing commitment to international development is respected across the House, and I pay tribute to her for her continued work.

Before I address the issue of overseas development assistance, I hope that the Committee will forgive me if I reflect on the increasingly unstable world in which we live. We know that instability and conflict have unique effects on women and girls. Last month, I asked the Minister about the appalling sexual violence against women in Sudan; this was highlighted by my noble friend and the noble Lord, Lord Alton. We have seen cases of sexual violence being used as a weapon of war in Ukraine and against Israeli hostages, as well as on 7 October 2023. We have a powerful role to play as a voice against atrocities and war crimes, as well as in holding perpetrators to account. Can the Minister expand on the Government’s broader approach to conflict in the world today, the effect that it is having on women and girls—especially in respect of sexual violence—and how we are responding to it?

I turn to the overseas development assistance budget. As has been mentioned by most noble Lords, in the face of growing fiscal and defence challenges, our spending has reduced significantly as a percentage of gross national income. Given the challenges that we face today, the Official Opposition understand and support that. I appreciate that there are a range of views on funding in this Committee, of course, but the Government’s work on supporting the rights of women and girls across the world need not be constrained by our redefined ODA budget. We can also continue to use our reputation as a respected nation on the international stage to promote that progress.

That is, I think, what the Government have sought to do in appointing the noble Baroness, Lady Harman, as the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls. Can the Minister update the Committee on the progress made during those visits? Can she also say whether championing the contribution that women and girls can make internationally has been discussed at the UK Soft Power Council? If not, will it be discussed at its next meeting?

In closing, although there are a range of views on our spending on overseas development assistance, I hope that we can all be united in our ambition to see an end to violence against women and girls, equality before the law and freedom for all, as well as recognition of the value of the contribution that women can make in every society across the world. I look forward to the Minister’s response.