Plan International Canada Welcomes Government of Canada Funding to Address Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa

Programs aim to help protect the rights of adolescent girls to unleash their full potential within the broader picture of the Sustainable Development Goals

TORONTO, July 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Plan International Canada today announced that two of its programs have been included in the Government of Canada's allocation of funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights initiatives. Plan International Canada applauds the Government of Canada's strong leadership on gender equality and its commitment to catalyzing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of global goals guiding international development to 2030.

"As a leading global organization committed to empowering women and girls, Plan International Canada believes that realizing the rights of adolescent girls – including sexual and reproductive health and rights – is one of the best investments we can make to end global poverty and achieve gender equality," said Caroline Riseboro, President and CEO of Plan International Canada. "When adolescent girls are able and supported to realize their rights – when they are educated, healthy, protected, and empowered – they can transform their own lives and the lives of those around them."

Across the world, girls and young women continue to face situations in which they are left without choice or control over their bodies and lives, and are often denied the ability to exercise their rights when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.

"All adolescent girls and boys should have the right to make their own informed choices and to have control over their sexual and reproductive health and lives, free from coercion, violence, discrimination and abuse," said Dr. Tanjina Mirza, Chief Programs Officer for Plan International Canada. "We believe that creating positive change in behaviour requires an integrated approach that engages and promotes intergenerational dialogue among men and boys, and women and girls, while challenging stereotypical attitudes and expectations."

Two Plan International Canada programs will receive this funding over the next five years and will seek to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls. The programs are:

• Child, early and forced marriage in Ethiopia - Improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Ethiopian girls and reducing child, early, and forced marriage.
  
  
• Plan for Girls - Piloting an integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights approach by engaging adolescent girls and service providers across sectors in Benin and Cameroon. A research component will track results.

 

Working with vulnerable children and especially girls so that they can learn, lead, decide and thrive is paramount to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Through high quality, comprehensive sexuality education and services, Plan International Canada seeks to transform harmful social and gender norms that underpin violations of sexual and reproductive rights.

Plan International Canada spokesperson available for interviews:

Dr. Tanjina Mirza, Chief Programs Officer for Plan International Canada, can speak about Plan's work in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. She can discuss its mission to empower adolescent girls through integrated, innovative, and evidence-based approaches that enable them to realize their rights.

ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL CANADA AND THE BECAUSE I AM A GIRL INITIATIVE

Founded in 1937, Plan International Canada is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan International strives for a just world that advances children's rights and equality for girls. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global movement to transform power relations so that girls everywhere can learn, lead, decide and thrive.

Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

SOURCE Plan International Canada

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Angie Torres-Ramos, Plan International Canada, 416-920-1654 x 244 | atorres@plancanada.ca