Women’s Rights to Reproductive Healthcare: United States Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Women’s Rights to Reproductive Healthcare: United States

Rosie Duffield Excerpts
Tuesday 28th June 2022

(2 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Amanda Milling Portrait Amanda Milling
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I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her question, but I am afraid that I do not agree with the decision that the US courts have made, and I share the Prime Minister’s view that it is a step backwards. However, importantly, in this place, we have a debate on these matters and we are able to vote according to our conscience.

Rosie Duffield Portrait Rosie Duffield (Canterbury) (Lab)
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We are all agreed, as we have just heard, that actions speak louder than words. Can the Minister explain how Britain can continue to stand up practically for the rights of women and girls globally in light of the £1.9 billion cut to women’s aid programmes, or will she commit to reversing that cut today?

Amanda Milling Portrait Amanda Milling
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We have had many debates about our official development assistance spend. I can reassure the hon. Lady that, as she will be aware, the issue of women and girls is a key priority for the Foreign Secretary, as set out in the international development strategy last month, and sexual and reproductive health and rights are a key priority within that.