PA/35/14 October 11, 2014
AUSTRALIA’S AMBASSADOR FOR WOMEN TO VISIT INDIA FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Ms Natasha Stott Despoja, will visit India to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October.
Ms Stott Despoja’s visit to India, from 10-15 October, is part of Australia’s international engagement on gender equality and women and girl’s empowerment, and will cover New Delhi and Mumbai.
On the International Day of the Girl Child in New Delhi, Ms Stott Despoja will announce new funding for a project to improve girls’ access to education and will join Plan India’s celebration of the Girl Child at Kamani Auditorium to watch the play ‘Jug Jug Jiyo.’
“I’m delighted to be in India for International Day of the Girl Child, my first marking of this event since my appointment as Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls in December 2013,” Ms Stott Despoja said.
“Despite progress over the past few decades girls around the world face several challenges as they seek to have their voices heard and to secure an equal place in society. This is why Australia is working actively in our region and beyond to help young women access education, vocational training and mentoring.”
While in India, Ms Stott Despoja will also announce funding to support women’s vocational training and to help women affected by trafficking. She will meet women community leaders as well as high-profile Indian women from business, government, civil society and politics.
“To have women in public leadership positions is vital to the health and prosperity of a nation. Young women and girls should be able to aspire to leadership positions in every society, and they need practical support to reach their goals,” Ms Stott Despoja said.
“We want girls across the globe have the freedom, the tools and the opportunity to shape their world. The International Day of the Girl Child not only gives us a chance to assess the progress we’ve made so far; it also reminds us we have to redouble our efforts to make it a reality.”