Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Women and Girls 2023-01-31
2023-01-31
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A third of women around the world do not have access to clean water. The questioner visited Ghana and saw how UK aid-funded WASH projects can be life-changing.
I refer the House to my declaration in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. A third of women around the world do not have access to clean water. In December, I visited Ghana and saw how water, sanitation and hygiene projects funded by UK aid can be life-changing for women and girls. The Government's international development strategy commits to “empowering women and girls” around the world, but it does not go far enough. Can the Minister assure me that his Department will prioritise funding for WASH projects for women and girls?
Over the last three years, Britain has trained 460,000 health and other key workers in the science of hygiene, and has supported 14,800 healthcare facilities. That is highly prioritised by the British Government.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for a specific commitment to prioritize funding for WASH projects for women and girls; the answer did not provide such a commitment.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Research indicates that Christian communities are often deprived of access to vital aid programmes.
Research by Open Doors for its world watch list indicates that there is a worrying tendency for Christian communities to be deprived of access to vital aid programmes. Will the Minister ensure that all UK-funded aid programmes are open to Christians, where needed, and other ethnic minorities?
My right hon. Friend makes an extremely good point, and the answer is yes.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
On the current trajectory, the UK is set to miss every single one of the sustainable development goals by 2030. The official development assistance for WASH has dropped by two thirds.
We have now passed the halfway mark to the 2030 deadline for meeting the sustainable development goals that we and 192 UN countries signed up to. On our current trajectory, however, we are set to miss every single one. Does the Minister agree that WASH is a cornerstone of the global goals and, to meet his targets on girls' education and ending preventable deaths, schools and hospitals need clean water and sanitation? Will he restore the official development assistance for WASH, which has dropped by two thirds, as part of the women and girls strategy?
Since the programmes were renewed in 2015, 63 million people in the poorest countries now have access to clean water and a lavatory, thanks to the UK taxpayer. Specifically, support for the Sanitation and Water for All partnership is a high priority for the Government.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked specifically about restoring WASH funding which has dropped by two thirds; the answer did not address this request.
Response accuracy