Ladies and gentlemen,

Before I begin, I would particularly like to acknowledge two key CIDA partners who have traveled quite a distance.

It is my pleasure to introduce Katrin Fakiri, Manager of the Parwaz microfinance program in Afghanistan. This is the first microfinance institution managed by women, for women.

And, Amjad Arbab is the Director of the Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan - MISFA.

Thank you for joining us today. It is a great honour to welcome you, and I look forward to hearing you speak in a few minutes.

I am pleased to participate in this activity. It has been organized as part of International Development Week, the theme of which is equality between women and men.

International Development Week allows the Government and its Canadian partners to tell Canadians about our efforts to contribute to a more secure and prosperous world.

That is why we are taking action. That is why equality between women and men is a priority that cuts through all CIDA programs. We also support initiatives that directly help women to exercise their rights, to be involved in the development of their societies, and to enjoy the benefits of development.

As you are aware, Canada, along with 36 other nations, is working with the United Nations, NATO and the Government of Afghanistan to provide the security, development and governance assistance necessary for the rebuilding of Afghanistan after decades of conflict. As a result, Afghanistan has become the largest recipient of Canadian bilateral development assistance, which will total one billion dollars over 10 years until 2011.

In addition to reconstruction activities, we are working hard to obtain concrete results for Afghan women. We support the government of Afghanistan in its desire to provide greater opportunities for women through programs in areas such as education or health, as well as giving women a voice, greater participation in decision-making and ensuring greater financial autonomy.

I would thus like to highlight the success of the Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA). Mr. Arbab will tell you more about MISFA in a few minutes. For the moment, I want to reiterate Canada's support for this program. On Monday, I announced an added contribution of $16 million. This means we have increased our investment in this program by 40 percent.

MISFA has helped more than 300,000 Afghans, 72 percent of them women, to build better lives and to meet their family's needs. MISFA now benefits over 10,000 people a month. By borrowing very small amounts, these people have started up small businesses. They have bought land, tools, and livestock. They have made other investments. They could not have done it without the support of a program like MISFA.

Such projects are helping to turn the tide. They are making life better for women, children, and men around the world.

To this end, OXFAM Canada is launching an initiative called Engendering Change. I am pleased to announce that, through CIDA, the Government of Canada will provide $4.92 million over two years to support this project. Engendering Change will allow civil society in nine developing countries to work with OXFAM Canada to advocate the rights and interests of women, and to promote their involvement in decision-making.

OXFAM Québec will also receive a $4.5 million contribution over five years for a project to be executed in Vietnam. This project will encourage the growth of micro-business and small business in rural areas. It will encourage women to enter the business community. It will also further policy dialogue on the promotion of women, micro-business, and small business.

Through all these activities executed on their behalf, Canadians are making a difference in the world. Canadian cooperation is helping women to assume their rightful place. In Afghanistan, Vietnam, Africa, Central America, and elsewhere, women and men must participate equally in developing their societies. Women and men must also equally enjoy the benefits of development. Without this, there can be no sustainable development.

Thank you.