UK’s Presidency of the G7 Gender Equality 2021-05-26
2021-05-26
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
As the UK holds the G7 presidency, there is an opportunity to promote gender equality globally.
What steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to promote gender equality through the UK's presidency of the G7?
We have a huge opportunity as we recover from covid-19 for women across the world to build back better. That is why I have convened a group of leaders in the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, under the leadership of Sarah Sands, to push for better education for women and girls, economic empowerment and ending violence against women across the world.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps or actions taken with the Secretary of State are not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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The previous answer mentioned the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council's work.
Can she tell me whether the Gender Equality Advisory Council will be working to improve women's and girls' participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and industries?
I am pleased to say that the GEAC is packed with inspirational STEM leaders such as Professor Sarah Gilbert who spearheaded the Oxford vaccine and CERN director general Dr Fabiola Gianotti; they are leading figures. A key aim of the GEAC is to ensure that more girls and women are involved in industries of the future such as technology and science so that they can get well-paid jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
In the previous G7 summit in August 2019, the UK Government made three domestic commitments for gender equality.
At the G7 summit in August 2019, the Government made three commitments for domestic progress on gender equality: delivery of the Domestic Abuse Bill; reform of parental leave; and action on workplace sexual harassment. But last year just 3.5% of fathers took shared parental leave, and the TUC found that one in two women experience sexual harassment at work. We are still waiting for the Government to respond to consultations on both those issues. What does the Minister think it says about her record that only one of those commitments has so far been completed? When will she bring forward reforms to these schemes?
As the hon. Member points out, we have brought forward and enacted the leading Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The Minister for Safeguarding is on the Front Bench; she has done a fantastic job on that. We will shortly be bringing forward the response on sexual harassment.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline or details of reforms to shared parental leave and workplace sexual harassment were not provided.
Response accuracy