Indo-Canadian Women’s Association Celebrates UN International Day of the Girl Child

(Edmonton) – Can you imagine a world in which all persons are valued – a world where gender does not matter? A world in which all humans are equal and respected? Indo-Canadian Women’s Association has been changing attitudes and striving to facilitate full participation of immigrants and newcomers in the economic, social, and political life in Edmonton and Canada. Through awareness and action, ICWA focuses on equality for all, including girls. Indo-Canadian Women’s Association and The United Nations is proud to present: “Our time – International Day of the Girl Child – Our rights, Our future,” breakfast event on Tues., October 11, 2022 from 7:00 am-9:00 am at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, featuring Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.  The cost per ticket is only $28 and includes a full breakfast.

October 11 was declared International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) to recognize girls’ rights and draw focus to the unique challenges girls face around the world and was born through a UN General Assembly Resolution 66/170 on December 19, 2011. Considered the little sister to International Women’s Day, International Day of the Girl Child rarely garners the same attention.

The United Nations says during the last 10 years there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments and policymakers. Girls have had more opportunities to raise their voices on the global stage. Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and they continue to be confronted by a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential; made worse by concurrent crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflict. They continue to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protections needed for a life without violence. While some small steps have been made in this area, the outbreak of COVID has intensified existing inequalities such as health, security, economics, access to education and social protection for girls across the world, including right here in Canada.

Emerging data shows the pandemic has led to a steep increase in violence against women and girls in Canada. Lockdown measures trapped many women and children at home with their abusers, struggling to access service agencies suffering from restrictions, cuts, impacted staffing and delivery mechanisms. The time is now to recognize and promote the rights of girls in our community and beyond.

ICWA hopes to make the breakfast event an annual one and looks forward to seeing attendees from corporate and non-profits represented at this year’s. Together, we can create a world of equality where girls are empowered to reach their goals and to realize their dreams. When we support families, we support girls. Empowered girls become empowered women.

Since 1984, the vision of ICWA is that all new Canadians achieve a sense of fulfillment and integration into Canadian culture and society – everyone will have an equal opportunity to fully participate! Only by ensuring equal rights of women and girls across all platforms, can we truly create a world of equality together.