The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, today issued the following statement:
"On this International Women's Day, the world is united in support of Ukrainian women and girls as they show incredible courage and resolve in the face of the Russian regime's brutal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
"Canada is unwavering in our support of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. We stand with the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom and their right to choose their own future. Canada has provided more than $1 billion in international assistance to Ukraine and continues to work with partners and allies to impose severe costs on the Russian regime for its actions.
"Women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict and by climate change, which is why Canada's feminist foreign policy and Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy have women and girls at the centre of everything we do.
"This year's theme for International Women's Day, Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, reminds us how climate change exacerbates social inequalities and threatens the health, safety and economic well-being of women and girls. Canada recognizes that environment and climate action will be most effective when women and girls play an active role.
"We are proud that our Feminist International Assistance Policy has made environment and climate action a core focus and puts women and girls at the heart of its efforts. In 2021, Canada doubled its previous commitment to international climate finance to $5.3 billion over 5 years [2021 to 2026] and anticipates that at least 80% of projects will integrate gender equality.
"Canada also pursues gender equality and women's economic empowerment through inclusive trade policies. All our free trade agreements since 2017 seek to include comprehensive, progressive chapters on gender, labour and the environment. We are actively providing more opportunities for women to grow their businesses in Canada and abroad.
"Canada's increased commitment to climate finance recognizes that urgent action is needed. Over the past year, Canada has helped lead 2 successful virtual trade missions to Africa and France for women-owned and women-led businesses. These missions focused on sustainability and renewable energy and have helped women entrepreneurs explore new business opportunities and establish new networks.
"In addition, last fall at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, United Kingdom, Canada joined the Feminist Action for Climate Justice coalition. We committed to encouraging equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector. We also pledged to support the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Gender Action Plan and the creation of the Census of Environment, which will provide insight on gender and climate change.
"Gender equality today is essential for a sustainable tomorrow. As a long-standing advocate of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, Canada will continue to promote the advancement of women and girls in all their diversity."
