Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assurances they have received from other Commonwealth countries that those governments will work to prevent persecution of individuals and groups; what assessment they have made of those assurances; how the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, will be implemented; and over what period of time that implementation will take place.

We welcome the agreement by leaders at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in London that the full social, economic and political participation of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status, is essential for democracy and sustainable development to thrive, as expressed in the official communique.

​We also welcome Heads' commitments to continued action to prevent barriers to the development and full realisation of all ​girls’ and women’s human rights. They also committed to ratify and implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, through legislation, policies and programmes that mainstream and promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in social, economic and political life​.

​

The UK will continue to support work towards a fairer, more inclusive Commonwealth during its period as Chair-in-Office, including through a programme working with civil society groups which will support countries wishing to reform outdated legislation on sexual orientation and gender identity, and on women's rights.