Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what work her Department's Governance and Fragile States department has undertaken to promote better governance in fragile and conflict-affected states.

The Prime Minister has consistently said that there is a Golden Thread of conditions that enables open economies and open societies to thrive: the rule of law, the absence of conflict, the absence of corruption, the presence of strong property rights and institutions. In fragile and conflict-affected states, DFID funds programmes on peace, governance and growth, working on issues such as preventing conflict, fighting corruption, improving the enabling environment for businesses, reducing barriers to trade, and giving women more voice in political processes. DFID is also working closely with other UK Government departments to ensure a whole of government approach to international peace and security. By January 2015, DFID’s programmes globally supported millions of women and men to vote in thirteen countries; supported 81 million people to have choice and control over their own development and to hold decision-makers to account; improved access to security and justice for 10 million women and girls; and helped 5.5 million people secure their land and property rights.