OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – March 7, 2016) –

Editor’s Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Women’s Empowerment Leads to Equality – Almas Jiwani Foundation (AJF) is participating in International Women’s Day (IWD) and proud take the #PledgeforParity. This year’s IWD campaign theme sheds light on the progress as well as the pitfalls that have been made in the attempt to achieve global gender parity.

By making the #PledgeForParity each and every one of us is able to take a feasible and concrete step towards accelerating gender parity. In an ever-globalizing world, issues affecting others are increasingly become issues that affect us as well.

“This day offers us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to gender equality, to reflect on the progress we have made and recognize the work that still needs to be done,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “It is the reality that far too many women and children in Canada – and around the world – continue to face discrimination because of their gender.”

He added, “Empowerment comes from having access to education, being active in the community, achieving financial independence and participating fully in democratic life. It also means a life free from the threat of violence. Women and girls who are empowered are better equipped to reach their full potential. When they have the opportunities and resources to succeed, our society as a whole is strengthened.”

“This is a time for awareness, for change, but more than that, this is a time for action,” said Ms. Jiwani, CEO of Almas Jiwani Foundation. “In bringing together a multiplicity of viewpoints and collective resources, we become a powerful force for affecting change.”

“It is our hope that as we work together, with governments, NGO’s, and the private sector, that we create the environment that allows gender parity to be realized. We must empower girls and women through education and social empowerment programs and identify that they are the keys to success in the developing world” Jiwani concluded.

About International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women held on March 8th.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, bringing awareness to the fact that while there is much to celebrate, in many places across the world progress has slowed and urgent action is needed to accelerate gender parity.

About Almas Jiwani Foundation

The vision of Almas Jiwani Foundation (AJF) is to empower women, girls and marginalized communities through focused projects that directly address disparities in equality, education, entrepreneurship and energy rights.

AJF aims to bridge inequalities through the fostering of relationships among the various actors and stakeholders in the aforementioned global issues, and provide a platform for discourse and action.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160307-800alm.jpg