MINISTER AMBROSE TAKES MESSAGE INTERNATIONALLY TO END HONOUR MOTIVATED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-February 24, 2011 - OTTAWA – The Government of Canada announced today that a Canadian delegation will attend the fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters. The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister for Status of Women will attend, along with the delegation, and discuss Canada’s perspective 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. Minister Ambrose will use the opportunity to highlight the need to end all forms of violence against women and girls, including honour motivated violence.
“It is a privilege to take part in the 55th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, as the Government of Canada is steadfast in our support for the prosperity, freedom and security of women and girls,” said Minister Ambrose. “Canadians believe that everyone should live free from violence and abuse, and we believe that honour motivated violence against women and girls must come to an end.” This year, Member States will address 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. In addition to Minister Ambrose as Head of Delegation, the Canadian delegation to the UNCSW this year is composed of representatives of the Government of Canada, three provinces (Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island), as well as the following representatives from four non-governmental organizations: Ms. Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan International Canada; Mr. Todd D. Minerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign; Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour, President of WinSETT (Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology); and Ms. Madeliene Tarasick, President of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. “We believe in women and girls overcoming barriers and soaring to new heights. To underscore this commitment, Canada's theme for International Women's Day this year will be Girls Rights Matter,” added Minister Ambrose. 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. Canada has participated in the UNCSW since its creation in 1947, and is a key leader in the work of advancing gender equality.