International Women’s Day Q&A with Penny Mordaunt MP, Secretary of State for International Development NOW CLOSED TO NEW QUESTIONS

[JustineMumsnet]

[EDITED BY MNHQ: Questions have now been collated and sent over - new questions may not be answered]

Hello all,

We’re very pleased to announce a Q&A with Penny Mordaunt MP, Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities.

Please post your questions on this thread by lunchtime on Wednesday March 6. We’ll send on a selection to the Minister and we will post up written answers from Penny on this thread this coming Friday (March 8), International Women’s Day.

In her role as Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt oversees DFID’s work ending extreme poverty overseas, including programmes focused on girls’ education and women’s health. DFID has been in the news recently, facing calls for its budget to be spent partly on encouraging projects that would aid British business overseas, and for it to be folded into the Foreign Office instead of being a standalone department.

In her role as Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny is also responsible for work including gender pay gap reporting and possible changes to the law concerning gender recognition.

Penny campaigned for Brexit in the run-up to the 2016 EU referendum and is a Royal Naval Reservist. She has previously been Minister of State for Disabled People and Minister of State for the Armed Forces.

Please add your questions for Penny here by Wednesday lunchtime. And although it’s not a live webchat please stick to the spirit of our webchat guidelines and keep it civil.

If one topic is overwhelmingly dominating responses we might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. Rest assured we will ALWAYS make the recipient aware that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

Thanks
Justine

Nb existing members will be able to post on this thread. Thanks.

Blimey still no answers

I mean, it's not difficult is it?

It is, because they have to take the #nodebate, acceptance without Exception stance or nothing, anything less isn't good enough.

Saying anything like "We see problems" is the same as being transphobic.

Once you sign onto this you can't back out.

Time to indulge in the special brownies kept in the freezer for sharing on occasions such as this...not really allowed to drink though!

Anyone taking bets on resignation?

I think this will go the way of the NSPCC webchat.
They never came back did they?

On the off chance Penny Mordant's staff are reading the thread, there are some relevent discussions here:

comments for the Minister of Women & Equalities from Mumsnet members July 2018:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3297184-Your-comments-for-Penny-Mordaunt

That thread evolved from the original one posted by Justine Roberts at the beginning of the Govt. Consultation.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/3297067-Mumsnet-moderation-response-to-yesterdays-feedback

As its in another place, 'Talk', there is a risk it gets lost.

There are many important comments, posts and concerns of MN members on the thread including additional questions and comments for Penny Mordant.

The thread which Justine is referring to in her comment & links to:
July 3rd 2018, OP Pratchet wrote:
"A woman is an adult female human
Of the sex whose reproductive role is to gestate and bear young.

Let's just say this while we still can. Because it's true, and however many people try to make us lie about it, or remain silent, it will always be true.

In times of universal deceit, speaking the truth is a revolutionary act.

It hurts MY feelings to see 'transwomen are women'. It damages MY mental health to see that, it makes ME feel erased and MY identity feel destroyed. I have a voice and I deserve that voice. WE deserve it.

I am Spartacus. A woman is an adult female human. Sex is binary, immutable and defined by reproductive role.

If you report me, or get me banned you shoot the messenger. Because this is true and will always be true. And this day, this day of a lie, I WILL say it.

#Spartacus"

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3295603-A-woman-is-an-adult-female-human

I miss Pratchet

I think this will go the way of the NSPCC webchat.

There are some important Safeguarding & Child Protection questions left unanswered by NSPCC:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_facebook_live/3343961-Facebook-Live-about-talking-to-kids-about-staying-safe-from-abuse-with-NSPCC-Thursday-30-August-12-30pm

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3350778-My-letter-to-NSPCC

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3353658-AIBU-to-be-shocked-that-the-NSPCC-cancelled-their-Facebook-Live-session-with-Mumsnetters-because-they-didnt-like-the-questions-That-they-cant-explain-why-they-arent-putting-children-in-danger

Think we might be in for a long wait here. I’ve brought the playing cards and the Father Ted box set.

I’ll have a curry too please the person who’s going down the takeaway. Something nice and warming please. I’ve bought a box of beers and some snacks for later.

Just one small thing... We might have to open a window later on, what with the beer and the curry. Sorry about that.

I miss Pratchet

Me too R0wan

I miss many clever, interesting, funny women who have either been banned by MNHQ or told they were unwelcome.

It makes me very sad

the risks of this conveyor belt of Women's and Equalities' members

Peshwari naan for me please!

Again Rowan thanks for finding that thread, why aren’t the press picking up on the refusal to answer not just from our elected officials, but from everybody?

Why offer to do something like this and not follow it through? Very unprofessional.

There's no excuse for this. None.

Her job is about us and our concerns, and our rights and those of our DC to be protected. Screw this shit! What is this exactly?
Bathe in the glory of an MN webchat to raise your profile in advance of international women's day then slip away not unnoticed
There's no excuse because even if plans were not finalised when this was announced (which I think i recall they were and clearly delivered for the bexit deal voting process yesterday, etc), in advance of the IWD would have been the time to declare inability to engage, respectfully and responsibly, and arrange a different day.

But this carry-on/farce...perhaps Michael mumsnet will be back again to mumble....mmm...something, something...mmm....busy [again]

It is, because they have to take the #nodebate, acceptance without Exception stance or nothing, anything less isn't good enough

Except, she has to start getting her hair wet. She can see which way this going.

It's time to pick. And, let's face it, with all the jiggery-pokery, passing the buck, I don't remember that, I wasn't there, nonsense going on, she'd better do it soon.

It's time to pick. And, let's face it, with all the jiggery-pokery, passing the buck, I don't remember that, I wasn't there, nonsense going on, she'd better do it soon.

I'm sure its nothing to do with internal Conservative party politics, Brexit-Remain or trying to position this issue with other political parties.

Penny Mordant MP will of course be taking her position as Minister for Women & Equalities very seriously....

**

She apologised once for having a similar name to me. No apologies for stating the truth though. #classact

gets out jigsaw puzzle to pass the time

F* this for a game of soldiers I'm off to binge watch Deutschland 86

You got any more sarnies is in their lemon?

Nougat?

*there

Except, she has to start getting her hair wet

No she doesn't, she hcan be silent and not do anything.

Oh I miss Pratchett.

I wonder if she keeps an eye on what’s going on on here?

That post of hers, found by R0wantrees, is a thing of beauty.

That post of hers, found by R0wantrees, is a thing of beauty.

Some words should be kept safely!

brings and for sustenance and to wave.

No news then?