VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – May 6, 2015) – Almas Jiwani, UN Women National Committee Canada President, celebrated youth leaders in their ability to shape gender issues, in her keynote address at the Girlsco’s Conference Ignite 2015 held at UBC Allard School of Law at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.

“Gender equality relies on our future generations’ ability to fight for it. Youth leaders must shed light on gender issues. While the progress being made now is important, empowering young people in the fight for equality is equally important,” says Almas Jiwani.

“I want to do my part in helping the next generation and guide them with the support they need to build solutions. It is our responsibility to ensure young people have the tools they need to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

The Girlsco organization aims to promote awareness of gender inequality, parallel to many of the projects UN Women Canada works to promote, such as HeForShe, in mobilizing men and women to discuss and challenge gender inequality.

“Conference Ignite is an opportunity to learn about the issues surrounding gender equality in our society, and how to equip the future generation to combat it. The participation of organizations such as Battered Women’s Support Services, Amnesty International, and UN Women is vital in bringing a diverse and global perspective to these issues. We’re so honoured to have Almas Jiwani, the President of UN Women Canada speak at our conference about the HeForShe campaign and all the incredible work that UN Women has done to bring awareness to the struggles that women and girls around the world continue to face, and the efforts required by both,” said the Girlsco President.

Ignite 2015 was held on May 2, 2015 at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada.

ABOUT GIRLSCO

Girlsco is a Vancouver-based, youth-run organization that educates youth on issues regarding women and girls on a local and global scale. The Ignite 2015 conference inform local teens on issues regarding gender inequality in the workplace and domestic violence, with an opportunity to propose solutions.

Website: http://girlsco.org/

About UN Women National Committee Canada

The UN Women National Committee Canada (formerly UNIFEM Canada) was founded in 1993 with the goal of promoting equality for all women. The National Committee Canada is an independent non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports the mission of UN Women through public awareness initiatives about UN Women and global women’s issues, as well as fundraising efforts to support UN Women programmes worldwide. The National Committee Canada is one of 15 National Committees worldwide. The National Committee raises the profile of UN Women and promotes its work in Canada.

Donate now! Your generosity today will provide a better tomorrow for girls and women worldwide.

www.unwomencanada.org

Social Media: Follow the work of the UN Women National Committee Canada on Twitter @UNWomenCanada, and the search the hashtag #HeForShe and #beijing20 for updates on our ongoing campaigns.

About UN Women’s HeForShe and IMPACT 10X10X10 Campaigns:

HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality. Gender equality was at one time a struggle for women by women but now is the time for this to change. A movement is building around the world that sees men taking a stronger stand on equality. Canada currently has over 13,000 men who have committed to furthering gender equality within our country.

IMPACT 10X10X10 aims to add corporations, governments, universities and grassroots organizations into the growing movement of equality. Gender equality benefits everyone. IMPACT 10X10X10 builds on HeForShe as a movement that seeks gender equality advocates in every sphere of influence.