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News Releases
April 12, 2000
SECRETARY OF STATE FRY TO HEAD THE CANADIAN DELEGATION TO THE SIXTH MEETING OF COMMONWEALTH MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) announced today that she will be leading the Canadian delegation to the Sixth Meeting of Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs, to be held April 16-19 in New Delhi, India.
The meeting will look at progress made on the 1995 Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender and Development, with a view to advancing the Commonwealth Agenda into the new millennium. Within this context, Ministers will discuss mainstreaming gender into government policy development and implementation; gender, macroeconomic policies and globalization; and women's human rights, political participation and peace.
"The promotion of human rights and gender equality are key pillars of the Commonwealth's fundamental values. Canada supports the ongoing efforts of the Commonwealth to use its progressive and innovative perspective to advance these shared values," said Dr. Fry. "We are pleased to exchange our experiences with other countries in the Commonwealth, so that, collectively, our learning can be applied to a more widespread understanding and application of gender-sensitive policies, and the global advancement of gender equality."
At the meeting, Dr. Fry will make presentations on Canada's experience with gender mainstreaming, as well as Canada's approach to eliminating violence against women and children. Dr. Fry will also address a gathering of the All India Women's Conference, the National Council for Women and other equality-seeking organizations.
Accompanying Dr. Fry on the Canadian delegation will be representatives from non-government organizations, Members of Parliament, as well as government officials responsible for women's concerns.
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