UN Women Canada, Women Ambassadors of Ottawa and the Parliament Canada Commemorate International Women's Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 23, 2014) - UN Women National Committee of Canada will join Women Ambassadors of Ottawa and Canadian Members of Parliament to further the groundwork highlighted by International Women's Day on March 25, 2014 at 4:00pm followed by a VIP reception at 5:30pm at the Parliament Hill in Ottawa, ON. This event is by invite only.

"International Women's Day is more than an observance of history. It marks the ongoing struggles and resulting strides women in all walks of life and from all corners of the world face today. Therefore, I am honoured to have a seat at the table and participate in focused dialogue that will move the issues of gender equality forward. It is crucial that we continue laying the foundation for tomorrow," said Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women National Committee Canada.

Ms. Jiwani will join notable experts on a panel discussion hosted at the federal Parliament of Canada, where the Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Status of Women, will provide the opening keynote address and the Honourable Lynne Yellich, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular Affairs, will also deliver remarks.

"Women Ambassadors of Ottawa in collaboration with Parliament of Canada commemorating International Women's Day 2014 with the hope that equal rights and participation of women in the public life will contribute to achieve the Millenium Development Goals. The commemoration is also a momentum to reflect on progress made, to call for a change and to support acts of courage and determination of all who have played an important role in the history of their countries and communities to make this century for women and gender equality. Women Ambassadors of Ottawa hope that their decades of experience as key players of change will continue to support the United Nations Women with regards to its plans and priorities for the present and the future", said H.E. Dienne H. Moehario, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia/President of Women Ambassador of Ottawa.

Panel Participants:

Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women National Committee of Canada - Women's Economic Empowerment

Professor Ann Denis, University of Ottawa and Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women - Women Participation in All Levels of Education

Joy Smith, MP, Member of Canada-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group/CIPFG - Women in Law and Practice

Helene Leblanc, MP, Chair of Standing Committee on the Status of Women/FEWO - Women's Participation in Decision Making

ABOUT UN WOMEN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CANADA

UN Women National Committee of Canada is an independent, non-government organization 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. For more information about UNWNCC, please visit http://www.unwomencanada.org/