Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the occasion of International Women’s Day:

“International Women’s Day recognizes and celebrates how far women around the world have come in their fight for equality, peace and development.

“On International Women’s Day 2012 – under the Canadian theme “Strong Women, Strong Canada – Women in Rural, Remote and Northern Communities: Key to Canada ’s Economic Prosperity” – we highlight the important role women and girls living in these areas play in our country’s economy.

“Our Government continues to provide substantial support for projects in Canada that seek to improve women’s economic security and prosperity, end violence against women and girls and advance women in leadership and decision-making roles.

“On the global front, the Government of Canada continues to be a strong supporter of women’s rights, including women’s economic empowerment. We have supported initiatives to strengthen women’s employment and entrepreneurship and improve gender equality, and we are working to address violence against women.

“Recognizing that further work is needed to raise awareness of the many types of struggles faced specifically by girls around the world, our Government spearheaded an initiative to introduce the International Day of the Girl, which was recently adopted by the United Nations.

“I encourage all Canadians to participate in events taking place across the country to mark International Women’s Day.”

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