Plan International Canada welcomes Government of Canada funding announcement for women, children and adolescent health globally

Statement from Caroline Riseboro, president and CEO, Plan International Canada

VANCOUVER, June 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Plan International Canada welcomes the Canadian government's historic announcement on women's, children's and adolescents' health globally. Canada's reaffirmation of gender equality on the world stage is not only the right thing to do, but also the smarter way to end global poverty and deliver better, more sustainable development outcomes.

As one of the largest implementing partners of the Government of Canada on health, Plan International Canada is particularly pleased to see a firm commitment from the Canadian government on sexual and reproductive health and rights, which benefits everyone, but also allows organizations like ours to respond to the unique needs of adolescents, particularly girls. This includes interventions that concurrently address the root causes of gender inequality, which are known factors in poor adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Adolescents face many barriers when making decisions related to sexual and reproductive health including a lack of awareness about services, age-of-consent laws, a lack of privacy during healthcare visits and negative social and cultural norms around sexual and reproductive health and rights that dissuade or prevent girls and boys from seeking services or information. Prevailing gender norms and values further compound the disadvantage faced by girls in realizing their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Plan International Canada will continue its high-impact, gender equality work in partnership with the Government of Canada, reaching children, adolescent girls and women with critical health services, particularly in the most vulnerable and hard to reach areas of the countries where it works.

This new long-term Canadian government funding commitment builds on Canada's reputation as a leader on health and gender and ensures the health and rights of women and girls continue to progress globally – with Canada remaining at the centre of this good news story.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and are now active in more than 70 countries. We are calling on all Canadians to Defy Normal: to believe in the power and potential of every child and to take a stand anywhere children are oppressed, exploited or left behind and anywhere girls aren't equally valued. Together, we can create a world where all unleash their full potential. Visit plancanada.ca for more information and follow @PlanCanada on social media to #DefyNormal and join the conversation.

SOURCE Plan International Canada

For further information: Media contact: Alison Gareau, Plan International Canada, [phone], [e-mail]

Related Links

www.plancanada.ca