asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have proposals to increase support and practical help for women's organisations throughout the Middle East.[HL7146]

The UK is working to support women's organisations in the Middle East, both by ensuring that women's issues are at the forefront of the international development agenda and by supporting home-grown initiatives in the region. Through the Global Opportunities Fund and the Engaging with the Islamic World programme, the UK contributes an annual £8.5 million towards a wide range of projects, which include a number of projects that support the advancement of women. Examples of current and planned projects include enhancing the participation of women parliamentarians in Jordan, supporting women's role in society in Saudi Arabia and strengthening women's civil society and the non-governmental organisations sector in Afghanistan.