Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that women refugees are protected and helped to feel secure in camps overseas.

The UK Government is strongly committed to the protection and security of women refugees both inside and outside of camps. DFID provides support to a number of agencies working directly with women refugees, including the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that their needs are taken into account, including through appropriate camp design and the provision of lighting. We have shown strong leadership in the global effort to address sexual exploitation and abuse across the aid sector, and are pushing for more effective procedures and greater accountability from all our partners.

Examples of our work include supporting UN agencies and NGOs to improve outreach and response for women and girls at risk of violence in the Rohingya crisis, including £12 million to support counselling and psychological support for over 10,000 women suffering from trauma and over 2,000 survivors of sexual violence. We are also investing in research into the drivers of violence experienced by women and girl refugees, to help us and our partners develop more appropriate prevention and support programmes.