The Government of Canada is committed to championing gender equality and to taking action to ensure that women and girls can succeed in Canada and around the world. Canada also places great value on building and nurturing relationships with partners in the Americas. To that end, yesterday, at the 38th Assembly of Delegates of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Canada was pleased to have been elected as one of three Vice Presidents of the CIM Executive Committee.
The CIM's work primarily focuses on preventing and addressing gender-based violence and on supporting the efforts of Member States to uphold the human rights of women. Canada's Vice Presidency presents an opportunity to work with members of the CIM Executive Committee to help influence and promote a more comprehensive approach to advancing gender equality and women's leadership in the hemisphere, strengthen the CIM Secretariat, and encourage gender mainstreaming across the OAS. This marks the first time since 2003-2004 that Canada has served in this position.
The full CIM Executive Committee will consist of:
- President: Dominican Republic;
- Vice President (3 positions): Canada, Panama and Colombia; and
- Committee Members: Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname, Peru and Ecuador.
In a few weeks Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, the world's largest conference on the health, rights and well-being of women and girls. The discussions taking place with leadership from across the Americas will help build momentum to advance gender equality across the hemisphere, and ultimately around the world before and after the conference.
"As a global champion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, Canada is always ready to work with its global partners to ensure that all people - regardless of gender - can reach their full potential. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Commission of Women of the Organization of American States, we will now have a stronger role in protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls across the hemisphere. Canada is grateful for this opportunity to serve in this important position, and we look forward to working with member states to advance gender equality throughout the Americas."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality
Quick facts
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Founded in 1948, the OAS is the oldest regional organization in the world and the premier multilateral organization of the Americas. It seeks to achieve among its member states an order of peace and justice, promote their solidarity, strengthen their collaboration and defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
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After 28 years as an observer, Canada became a member of the OAS on January 8, 1990.
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Established in 1928, CIM was the first inter-governmental agency established to ensure recognition of women's human rights.
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Canada will serve a three-year term as Vice President on the CIM Executive Committee from 2019 to 2022.
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From June 3 to 6, 2019, Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world's largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.
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The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide and give voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 7,000 individuals-world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists-from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.
