Recognizing Canadian women who are working to empower the next
generation of women and girls
CANADA, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Friday March 8 is International Women's Day, a day to recognize and
celebrate women around the world. This year, Plan Canada is applauding
the achievements of Canadian women who give their time and expertise to
help inspire women in Canada and globally through philanthropic
initiatives.
International Women's Day is an opportunity to focus on the importance
of the world's girls and women. Canadian women recognize that many
girls and women around the world face significant challenges and
barriers, such as barriers to education or employment, simply because
of their gender. Supporting girls and women around the world is key to
transforming lives. Plan Canada recognizes that by investing in girls
we can support a generation of empowered women, mothers, workers and
leaders. These women will improve the lives of everyone around them and
in turn lift families, communities and entire nations out of poverty.
"We need to continue to address barriers and discrimination that women
face," says Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada. "There
are many Canadian women who understand this need and give selflessly to
help spread the message about the power of girls and women, and help to
make real change. On this International Women's Day we celebrate these
Canadian women."
Plan Canada Recognizes Canadian Women and their Philanthropic
Initiatives
Inspiring Canadian women have spearheaded innovative and high-impact
initiatives in their communities and on a national scale to benefit
girls and women around the globe and here in Canada. Some of these
activities include:
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Establishing trendy clothing and makeup lines, proceeds of which go to
providing clean water, food security, health care and education to
girls in developing countries.
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Encouraging and supporting women from around the world to tell their
stories of abuse and loss through film and theatre.
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Helping girls grow into educated women by supporting the development of
schools and maternal health programs in Rwanda and Tanzania.
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Writing books that empower and support women to take control of their
lives at any age and pursue their rights.
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Organizing philanthropic activities and community events to raise
thousands of dollars for girls in developing countries, providing them
with the tools and resources to raise themselves and their families out
of poverty.
Other Ways Plan Canada is Marking International Women's Day
On March 7, Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative and the Toronto District School Board's Young Women on the
Move will host a one-day interactive conference with more than 300
girls, aged 12-16. During the conference the young girls will hear from
a number of inspiring guest speakers and mentors, including Olympic
wrestler Ohenewa Akuffo, and will explore and discuss issues facing
girls today. Through social media, participating students will have the
unique opportunity to interact with other students living across Canada
and around the world and hear how they identify with being a girl, what
barriers they face and how they work to break through them.
The United Nations theme of this year's International Women's Day is, "A
Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,"
and in lead up to that day, Plan Canada is also encouraging all
Canadians to participate in a letter- writing campaign in support of a
national action plan to end school-related gender-based violence.
Canadians who wish to participate in this effort can do so by visiting:
http://becauseiamagirl.ca/Support-the-right-of-girls-to-learn-without-fear
Editor's Note: Please contact us if you want to speak to some inspiring
women and learn firsthand what they are doing to help women in Canada
and around the world.
SOURCE: Plan Canada
