11/11/2012 6:12:35 PM

November 10, 2012
Manila, the Philippines

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for an initiative that will promote the empowerment of women in eight Southeast Asian countries. The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s visit to the Philippines.

“Canada is a world leader in the promotion and protection of women’s rights and equality,” said the Prime Minister. “We must ensure that women all over the world are given every opportunity to succeed in a society that encourages them to reach their full potential. The initiative announced today will help a number of Southeast Asian countries make their justice systems more equitable and help to create regional standards with respect to equality between men and women.”

The initiative, which is being implemented by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, will help Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam to improve access to equitable justice systems for women and strengthen their capacity to develop and implement legislation that is respectful of the United Nations Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Support is being provided over five years (2011-2016) through the Canadian International Development Agency’s Southeast Asia Regional Program.