Media Advisory - Join 500 Toronto girls as they celebrate International Women's Day with the Honourable Minister Ambrose, Plan Canada and the Toronto District School Board

TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - This International Women's Day on March 8, media are invited to join 500 Toronto girls, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, Plan Canada, and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to not only celebrate and recognize women, but to also celebrate the power and potential of young girls as critical agents of social change in their own lives and across the world.

As women's empowerment begins with girls' empowerment, 500 girls in Grades 3 to 6 will gather at TDSB's Young Women on the Move conference to explore and learn about issues facing girls today and to celebrate the women in their lives who are an inspiration to them.

Additionally, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, joined by Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education  for the TDSB, and Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada, will formally announce and celebrate Canada's role in making the first annual International Day of the Girl Child, slated for October 11, 2012, a reality. See our International Day of the Girl Child timeline at www.becauseiamagirl.ca/dayofgirl-timeline.

We invite you to join us at a joint media briefing and photo opportunity with Plan Canada, the TDSB and Status of Women Canada (SWC) to learn more about the growing momentum behind the issue of girls' rights, power and potential in Canada and around the world.

WHO:	The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO, Plan Canada Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education, Toronto District School Board 500 Toronto girls (Grades 3 to 6)
WHAT:	9:20 a.m.: Media briefing with remarks from the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Rosemary McCarney and Dr. Chris Spence celebrating the launch of the International Day of the Girl Child and Canada's lead in making the day a reality. 9:35 a.m.: Q&A with the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Rosemary McCarney and Dr. Chris Spence. 9:45 a.m.: Photo opportunity of 500 girls holding up a sign recognizing a female role model in their life. 10 a.m.: Photo opportunity of girls presenting a banner to the Honourable Rona Ambrose.
WHEN:	Thursday, March 8, 2012
WHERE:	Spirale Banquet Hall and Convention Centre 888 Don Mills Road, Toronto, ON M3C 1V6 Note: Media briefing will take place in Spirale Outer Foyer; photo op will take place in Conference Ballroom.

Join our conversations about the event on March 8, 2012:

Plan Canada:
@plancanada

Minister Rona Ambrose:
@MinRonaAmbrose
Minister Ambrose will be tweeting at #womensday

Toronto District School Board:
@tdsb
@tdsb_youngwomen
#celebrategirls

About Plan and the 'Because I am a Girl' Initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit www.plancanada.ca and www.becauseiamagirl.ca for more information. 

Media Contacts:

Abigail Brown, Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 277  |  C: 647 971 3764  |  [email protected]

Kristy Payne, Director of Strategic Communications
C: 416 568 6525  |  [email protected]