NEW YORK CITY, Oct. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, today issued the following statement on International Day of the Girl:
"Every October 11th, Canada and other countries around the world celebrate International Day of the Girl, a day dedicated to celebrating the incredible strength, courage, and resilience of girls.
It is also a day of empowerment, an opportunity to formally recognize that girls' rights are human rights. Every girl deserves the opportunity to reach her full potential. This means ensuring girls can live free of discrimination and violence, with access to education and health care. There are too many girls, in communities both near and far, who face barriers simply because they are girls. But working together, we can continue to work toward equality for all girls, no matter where they live.
Here in Canada, International Day of the Girl is an important part of Women's History Month celebrations. This year's theme, #ClaimYourPlace, is a call to action, a reminder that progress towards gender equality is possible when we ensure the voice of every girl can be heard.
There are so many girls today who are already making their mark as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and activists. By sharing their fresh perspectives, boundless energy, and daring ideas, they are examples of how all girls have the potential to challenge the status quo and make a difference in their communities—not only on October 11th, but all year around.
On International Day of the Girl, I encourage everyone to recognize the girls in their lives who are taking steps to tear down barriers, to build equality for all, and claim their own place in the world. On International Day of the girl, please share the stories of these girls and, like them, #ClaimYourPlace."
International Day of the Girl
Women's History Month
SOURCE Status of Women Canada
Célia Canon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-862-3270; Léonie Roux, Public Affairs Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-6821
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