Press advisory: International experts meet with government officials and hold press conference to discuss Canada’s role as a women’s rights champion at the G7 and in humanitarian crises.
Date: Thursday, 22 March 2018 – 9:30AM
Location: Charles Lynch Press Conference Room; Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5A4
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made clear his desire to promote gender equality and women’s rights at the G7 summit, but a robust conversation among leaders must not ignore the needs of the most marginalized women facing emergency situations around the world.
During conflict and natural disasters, women still become pregnant, continue pregnancies, deliver babies, and seek contraceptives and abortion care. Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services during a crisis saves lives, just like clean water, shelter and food. This includes vital services to support those affected by violence, obstetric and antenatal care for pregnant women, and access to contraceptives, safe abortion and post-abortion care.
International experts are in Ottawa to call for Canada to commit to a sexual and reproductive health and rights policy that includes earmarked funds for women and girls in crisis and encourage G7 leaders to work towards a similar path.
In Ottawa to discuss this important issue and respond to media questions are:
- Sandeep Prasad, Executive Director, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
- Christina Wegs, CARE International Global Advocacy Lead, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
- Onyema Afulukwe, Senior Counsel for Africa, Global Legal Program, Centre for Reproductive Rights
- Muzna Dureid, Syrian activist and women’s rights defender
- Dan Baker, Syria Regional and Response Advisor for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
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Media Inquiries:
Ani Colekessian
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
ani@actioncanadashr.org
+1 613 241-4474 x7
Darcy Knoll
CARE Canada
darcy.knoll@care.ca
+1 613 228 5641
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- Journalists are also welcome to attend a 7:30AM panel discussion at Centre Block. Speakers include Sandeep Prasad, Christina Wegs, Onyema Afulukwe, Muzna Dureid, and Dan Baker with opening remarks from Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and moderated by Senator Marilou McPhedran. To register please email Ani Colekessian at ani@actioncanadashr.org. We ask that media in attendance of the panel reserve their questions for the press conference. The event can also be watched on Facebook Live: facebook.com/carecanada and www.facebook.com/actioncanadashr
ACTION CANADA FOR SEXUAL HEALTH & RIGHTS is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally. For more information, visit www.actioncanadashr.org
CARE Canada is an international humanitarian and development organization committed to saving lives, defeating poverty and achieving social justice. Active in more than 90 countries, CARE places a special focus on women and girls as it believes we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities, visit www.care.ca