News Releases
April 25, 2000
SECRETARY OF STATE FRY WELCOMES OUTCOME OF SIXTH MEETING OF COMMONWEALTH MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS
OTTAWA -- Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Hedy Fry today welcomed the results of the Sixth Meeting of Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs, held in New Delhi, India. The meeting focused on 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.
The Ministers discussed a wide range of issues focussing on gender mainstreaming, macro-economic policies and globalisation, women's human rights, conflict and peace, political participation and HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Fry, as head of the Canadian delegation, made two presentations at the meeting. The first was on Canada's experience with mainstreaming gender into the development and implementation of government policy. Canada was invited to share its knowledge, thanks to its leadership in this area. Dr. Fry also addressed a plenary session on Women's Human Rights, on Canada's comprehensive approach to addressing violence against women and children.
"The exchange of best practices and information within international fora such as the Commonwealth is vital to the global advancement of gender equality," said Dr. Fry. "Consistent with its long-standing foreign and domestic policy objectives of advancing gender equality and women's human rights, Canada will continue to play a leading role in efforts to promote gender equality objectives in the Commonwealth, and other international fora such as APEC and the Francophonie."
The Canadian delegation was pleased that the meeting's final Communiqué included reference to specific actions to protect women's human rights and a recognition of the harmful effects of anti-personnel landmines on civilian populations. The document also reflected the strong support Ministers gave to the Commonwealth Secretariat for its continued leadership in mainstreaming gender.
While in New Delhi, Dr. Fry also addressed a gathering of the All India Women's Conference, the National Council for Women and other equality-seeking organizations. Her speech, entitled, Embracing our Differences, focused on how Canada has recognized and realized the benefits of a pluralistic society.
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