Malcolm Bruce appeals for greater protection of female refugees on International Women's Day

12.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Mar 2007

Malcolm with colleagues at the House of Commons marking International Women's Day

Malcolm Bruce MP is supporting International Women's Day today (8th March) by joining with Parliamentary colleagues In urging the British Government to promote the use of solar cooking technology in the developing world.

Solar cooker is an alternative food cooking technology with sunlight as its only energy source. Hundreds of thousands of families worldwide use the the technology to cook their families meals and Mr Bruce pointed to the potential benefits of promoting the technology particularly for use in refugee camps in conflict-affected states where women face greater danger when collecting fuel for cooking their food.

Mr Bruce who is the Chair of the influential Parliamentary International Development Select Committee explained:

"There is a danger for women and children who often leave the refugee camp in war afflicted countries in search of firewood for cooking. Unfortunately many of them are attacked, raped and killed by militia bands. If this solar cooking technology, which costs so little can help protect these women then it's use must be encouraged and I would urge the Government to do what it can to promote solar cookers where they can help save women's lives."

ENDS