PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
WOMEN IN EGYPT (8 June 2011)

That this House recognises the active involvement of Egyptian women in Tahrir Square calling for social justice, dignity and freedom and the opportunity for a new era of democracy and human rights in Egypt; notes the 4th June Egyptian National Women's Statement; expresses support for their demands, ensuring women's representation throughout the democratic transition process and throughout the new parliament and the entrenchment of women's social, political and economic rights in the new Egyptian Constitution; further recognises the important role of the Alliance for Arab Women in organising this declaration and further notes the importance of UN Women in working for women's empowerment in Egypt; sees this as a pivotal moment for women in Egypt and calls for action to ensure they are able to play an equal role in their country's future in the way they demand; warns that the legal, democratic and economic advances made by women over the last decade are at risk; and calls on the Government through its own programme of aid and through multilateral institutions including the World Bank, the UN and the EU, to ensure women's rights are protected and that UK and international support for political and economic reform in Egypt is based on equality for women and men.

Sponsored by:
Baroness Harman (Labour)