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Canada's Leadership a Catalyst for Change for Women Around the World: Ambrose

February 25, 2011

NEW YORK – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today participated in discussions with leaders from Canada and abroad during the 55th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), to stress the importance of ensuring that women and girls be treated equally and respectfully, that they have equal access to opportunities including work and education, and that they live free from all types of violence.

"This conference is an opportunity to drive ideas forward on improving the quality of life and opportunities for women and girls, and we all strive to achieve better outcomes." said Minister  Ambrose.  "Sharing Canada's perspective and actions have been important in the discussions, as well as listening to challenges and barriers that women and girls still face."

During the day, Minister Ambrose led discussions with Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss: increasing women's access to education, training and employment in science and technology; the opportunities and rights for girls; and eliminating violence and discrimination against women and girls.  

The organizations that took part included: Plan Canada, the White Ribbon Campaign, YWCA, Bahá'i Community, Feminist Alliance for International Action, Canadian Autoworkers' Union, Canadians Concerned About Violence in Entertainment, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Fédération des femmes du Québec, WinSETT, CW4WA, Centrale des syndicats du Québec, Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Canada, Canadian Labour Congress, Canadian Federation of University Women and National Council of Women of Canada.  

This year at the UNCSW, Member States are addressing the priority theme, Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work. The review theme is the elimination of all forms of discrimination against the girl child.

Minister Ambrose also met with her counterparts from Afghanistan, Sweden, Australia, and Portugal.

During Minister Ambrose's statement at the plenary session of the UNCSW, she highlighted Canada's achievements in a number of areas, including taking a leadership role in the renewed global effort to protect the lives of women, children and newborns in developing countries. She also pointed out that the Government of Canada recently launched its Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, which will encourage the participation of women and girls, promote their rights, and advance their equal access to humanitarian and development assistance.

She also highlighted Canada's action to empower Aboriginal communities and end violence against Aboriginal women and girls, including the first-ever federal strategy to address the pressing issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. She also noted that funding for community-based women's projects – including those to address honour-based violence and empower women in ethnic communities – is at its highest level ever. 

Minister Ambrose also attended the launch of UN Women, the organization established by the UN to address women's issues.  The Government of Canada's contribution to UN Women has been increased to $10 million.

The UNCSW, a commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women, and is the principal global policy-making body. The Commission brings together representatives of Member States at UN Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards, and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. The meeting of the Commission is held each year over a period of 10 days, normally scheduled in late February/early March.

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For more information, please contact:

Rebecca Thompson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
819-997-5421

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613 995-7839

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

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Date Modified:
2011-02-25