Question
In Afghanistan, children, particularly girls, simply cannot enjoy their childhood. This summer marked a grim anniversary: it is five years since the Taliban began an assault on women and girls, banning girls from education. We have to stand with Afghan women and girls. Will we support calls from Afghan women to recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, and will the Minister, or the relevant Minister, meet me, other MPs and, importantly, Afghan women to discuss what more can be done?
Answer
I would always be delighted to meet my hon. Friend. I commend her, other women and Members from across this House for all that they have done to draw attention to the horrifying, unspeakable situation facing Afghan women and girls. She will appreciate that there are sensitivities around the use of specific language in the international system, and I would want to be mindful of the views of other partner countries on this; however, I would be delighted, substantively, to meet my hon. Friend to see what we can do to advance the cause of Afghan women and girls, which is close to both our hearts.33% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (56/100)
The reply responds to both parts of the question, but only partly. On the 'gender apartheid' wording, it does not adopt the term and gives a reason (sensitivity around specific language and partner countries' views), though it never says outright that it is declining. On the request to meet, it commits to meeting the MP, but it says nothing about meeting other MPs or Afghan women and does not name the Minister who would attend, so the asker would probably need to follow up on those points.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government support calls from Afghan women to recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity? | Addressed | Direct | The reply does not endorse the 'gender apartheid' language and gives a stated reason, namely sensitivities around specific language in the international system and the need to be mindful of partner countries' views. Declining with a reason answers the item, although the decline is implicit rather than stated outright. |
| Will the Minister, or the relevant Minister, meet the MP, other MPs and Afghan women to discuss what more can be done for Afghan women and girls? | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply commits to meeting the MP, which answers the core 'will you meet' request. It does not address meeting other MPs or Afghan women, and it does not say which Minister would meet, so part of the item is left unanswered. |