Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving access for women's organisations and coalitions to engage with Government.

The Minister for Women and Equalities regularly discusses gender equality issues with Cabinet colleagues and this Government is committed to tackling the major injustices that hold women back. We regularly consult with women’s organisations as we develop policies, and will continue to do so. For example, we have engaged with women’s groups through the Centenary Programme, Returners Programme and the LGBT action plan.

The Government Equalities Office is currently developing a programme of work to ensure that women’s voices are better heard by policymakers. Our aim is to understand the barriers that women face and enable them to fulfil their potential.