Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the African Union to increase the participation of women in positions of political leadership across the continent.

The UK supports the African Union's efforts to increase women's participation in political processes in Africa through their Conflict and Governance Programme. Through the programme, we support women's participation in election monitoring missions, transitional justice initiatives and the implementation of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security. The programme also provides direct support to 'FemWise,' the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation. This helps to underpin the inclusion of, and leadership from, women in political processes across Africa.