Overview

This bill amends the International Development Act 2002 to ensure that UK government development and humanitarian aid prioritizes gender equality. It requires the Secretary of State to consider how aid can reduce poverty and inequality between genders, and mandates annual reporting on the progress made.

Description

The International Development (Gender Equality) Bill mandates that the UK government considers gender equality when distributing international development and humanitarian aid. Specifically:

• Section 1: Amends the International Development Act 2002 to require the Secretary of State to consider how aid can reduce poverty in a way that also reduces gender inequality (development assistance) and how to address gender-related needs in disaster relief (humanitarian assistance).
• Section 2: Adds a requirement to the annual report on the effectiveness of aid, demanding information on the steps taken to address gender inequality in line with the amendments made in Section 1.
• Section 3: Sets out the short title of the Act, its commencement date (two months after passing), and its extent (across the UK).

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly allocate or change government spending. However, it may indirectly influence the allocation of existing aid budgets by directing them towards programs and projects that promote gender equality. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:

• Women and girls in developing countries: They are the main intended beneficiaries, as the bill aims to improve their lives by directing aid towards initiatives that address gender inequality.
• Organizations receiving UK aid: They will likely need to adapt their proposals and programs to align with the bill’s gender equality focus to be eligible for funding.
• The UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID): They are responsible for implementing the bill's requirements, including reporting on progress.

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