International Development (Gender Equality) Act 2014

2014 CHAPTER 9

An Act to promote gender equality in the provision by the Government of development assistance and humanitarian assistance to countries outside the United Kingdom, and for connected purposes.

[13th March 2014]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Duty to have regard to gender inequality U.K.

(1) The International Development Act 2002 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 1 (development assistance), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Before providing development assistance under subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the desirability of providing development assistance that is likely to contribute to reducing poverty in a way which is likely to contribute to reducing inequality between persons of different gender.”

(3) In section 3 (humanitarian assistance), after the existing provision (which becomes subsection (1)) insert—

“(2) Before providing assistance under subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall have regard to the desirability of providing assistance under that subsection in a way that takes account of any gender-related differences in the needs of those affected by the disaster or emergency.”

(4) The requirement imposed by an amendment made by this section may be satisfied by things done (wholly or in part) before the commencement of the amendment (including things done before the passing of this Act).

2 Annual reporting U.K.

In section 4(1) of the International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006 (annual report on effectiveness of aid), after paragraph (c) insert—

“(ca) what steps have been taken as a result of sections 1(1A) and 3(2) of the International Development Act 2002 in pursuing Millennium Development Goal 3,”.

3 Short title, commencement and extent U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the International Development (Gender Equality) Act 2014.

(2) This Act shall come into force on the expiry of two months beginning with the day on which it is passed.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.