Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Desmond Swayne

Wednesday 16th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Swayne]

We are fighting Daesh. We are providing large sums of money to organisations that are delivering aid directly to Yazidi women and to children. I know it is frustrating—terrible things happen—but the hon. Lady cannot always blame Ministers.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

What medical and psychological services are the Government able to provide to the women referred to in the previous question, who have been held as sex slaves?

[Mr Swayne]

We have sent a number of experts to the region specifically to deal with violence against women. The pooled fund, to which we are the largest contributor, provides maternal and child healthcare services, protection for women and girls, and livelihoods for female heads of households. The Iraqi national action plan delivers similar services, and we are dealing specifically with the needs of women in Dohuk, Kirkuk and the northern areas through the human rights and democracy fund.