International Women's Day and freedom of religion or belief (No. 2)

That this House celebrates International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021; recognises that women from marginalised religious or belief communities encounter unique persecution and challenges due to their gender; expresses deep concern that these women have become much more vulnerable since the outbreak of covid-19 resulting in increased cases of domestic violence, kidnapping and forced marriage, as seen in the case of 14 year old Maira Shahbaz and 13 year old Arzoo Raja in Pakistan; notes the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief’s new report entitled, Commentary on the Current State of Freedom of Religion or Belief (2020) which draws attention to the intersection between gender inequality and freedom of religion or belief violations with many specific examples; and urges the UK Government and the international community to act to mitigate the impact that the covid-19 pandemic has had on freedom of religion or belief globally and, in particular, on women and girls who are doubly discriminated against because of their gender and their beliefs.