Category: Canada

In honor of International Women’s Day Greg Quinn, the British Consulate General [Toronto] officially launched the U.K. Government’s new “Women and Girls Strategy” at a reception at the National Club.

Here is the outline of the policy that The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will use, along with the details and strategy that was outlined in Consul Greg Quinn’s speech:

The scale of the Strategy’s ambition reflects the increase in threats to gender equality and women and girls. Climate change, crises, and conflict disproportionately affect women and girls.

Attempts to hold back women’s and girls’ rights have gained momentum and are amplified online. Hard-won gains are threatened, and there is escalating instability.

The Strategy will be guided by 5 principles. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will:

* stand up and speak out for women’s and girls’ rights and freedoms on the global stage and in bilateral relationships;

* embolden and amplify the work and voices of diverse grassroots women’s organizations and movements, championing their role as important agents for change;

* target investment towards the main life stages for women and girls to maximize our effectiveness and secure life-long and intergenerational impact;

* act for and with women and girls impacted by crises and shocks, including conflict, global health, climate change, violence, food insecurity and malnutrition, and the resulting humanitarian crises; and

* strengthen political, economic and social systems that play an important role in protecting and empowering women and girls, embracing innovative financing models and technology use to secure long-term development.

The FCDO will focus on the 3 thematic priorities:

* educating girls;

* empowering women and girls, championing their health and rights;  and

* ending gender-based violence

To achieve FCDO’s ambitions, the Strategy sets out 3 goals: to enable the conversation, lead by example and lead through knowledge.

The “Women and Girls Strategy paper can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-women-and-girls-strategy-2023-to-2030

In attendance were other Consulate representatives and a number of local women’s organizations.

What a moving and wonderful way to come together and celebrate International Women’s Day!