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News Release

Canada Calls on Member States to Proclaim International Day of the Girl

October 11, 2011

OTTAWA – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, is in New York for a series of meetings, a roundtable and events to promote and gain international support for a Canadian initiative to proclaim September 22 as International Day of the Girl.

"An International Day of the Girl will promote girls' rights and bring needed attention to the many challenges they still face worldwide," said Minister Ambrose. "Canada is leading the effort to establish an International Day of the Girl because we know that when girls have a solid foundation in life, they can grow, engage with their communities and help to build a stronger world."

Minister Ambrose will call upon member states to support the proclamation of an International Day of the Girl during her address to the United Nations' Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee), and reaffirm our commitment to advancing equality for women and girls.

The Minister will also have an opportunity to reiterate her call at an event that she will co-host with PLAN Canada and PLAN International, partners in the "Because I Am A Girl" campaign.

If adopted by the General Assembly, an International Day of the Girl could be declared this fall. A delegation of girls from Plan Canada introduced the idea to Minister Ambrose at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters in February 2011. Plan International is promoting the establishment of an International Day of the Girl to raise global awareness of the unique challenges facing girls, as well as the key role they can play in addressing larger issues of poverty and development.

In March 2011, Canada's Parliament unanimously adopted a motion requesting that Canada take the lead at the United Nations in the initiative to proclaim September 22 the International Day of the Girl.

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For more information, please contact:

Michelle Bakos
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 Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839

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Date Modified:
2011-10-11