Dear friends,
Mark your calendars. International Women’s Day is on March 8 and this important day is fast approaching!
UN Women National Committee Canada is excited to join this year’s global celebration of women. The theme is the clarion call of UN Women’s Beijing+20 campaign “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” We commemorate the ground-breaking 1995 World Conference on Women and celebrate women’s advancement over the past 20 years.
The work on gender equality, however, is far from complete.
To this end, I invite you to visit our brand new website, HeForShe. The #HeForShe campaign aims to mobilize one billion men and boys as advocates and agents of change for gender equality. As the movement builds, UN Women National Committee Canada invites men and women alike to join in and advance women’s rights – together.
Our work does not stop there. I’m thrilled to announce our partnership with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games through the TO2015 IGNITE program. This program will bring more visibility to the HeForShe movement, as everyone from global athletes to students, and visitors to spectators, will be able to lend their voice to the campaign. In the same way UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson has done, we will raise awareness about the empowerment of women and girls not only in Canada, but also around the world.
I’m also delighted to continue our strong partnership with the Aga Khan Council for Canada. On March 8, International Women’s Day, Toronto’s CN Tower will be brightly lit in Blue, demonstrating solidarity for women and girls, and the ongoing fight for gender equality
As International Women’s Day approaches, UN Women National Committee Canada recognizes we would not be able to continue our work without our valued partners and supporters. I encourage you to get involved by becoming a member, making a donation or volunteering your time. Every effort makes a difference in achieving gender equality. I thank you for becoming a part of the solution.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Almas Jiwani
President
UN Women National Committee Canada