International Day of the Girl

October 11, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today issued the following statement:

“Canada is proud to be joining in celebrations taking place around the world on the 10^th anniversary of International Day of the Girl. The theme this year, Our Time Is Now—Our Rights, Our Future, puts girls front and centre.

“There is an urgency to addressing the unfair discrimination faced by girls—discrimination that reinforces poverty and inequality, limits potential and prevents girls from realizing their full human rights.

“We picture a world where girls use their power, control their own lives and bodies, participate in decisions that affect them and contribute to and benefit from prosperity in their households and countries.

“Investments in girls creates sweeping change, not only for girls themselves, but also for their communities and countries, including the economies therein.

“We must address gender gaps in education—gaps that are particularly acute in both secondary and post-secondary education. All girls, and especially refugee and displaced girls, need access to safe, quality education to achieve their potential.

“Educating girls generates benefits far beyond the initial input. Better-educated women tend to be healthier, participate more in the formal labour market, earn more, give birth to fewer children, marry at a later age and provide better health care and education to their children.

“In the fall session of the UN General Assembly, Canada will once again co-lead, alongside Zambia, a resolution on child, early and forced marriage [CEFM]. We see this resolution as a crucial component of ongoing efforts to build global momentum to end CEFM by 2030. Child marriage ends childhood. It negatively influences education, health and protection. A girl who is married is more likely to be out of school and not earn money or be well placed to contribute to her community.

“Canada is committed to amplifying the voices of those affected by global decision making, including adolescent girls, so that they can take part in the decisions that most affect their lives. They need the tools and opportunities to reach their potential and to contribute to their communities.

“We are working closely with international partners to reduce inequality, address the unique challenges faced by girls and women and ensure that their rights are respected, including through efforts to enable girls to stay in school, remain healthy and decide their own futures.”