OTTAWA (Ontario) – In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace. Following the United Nations' lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women's Day.   This year the theme is Girls' Rights Matter.  International Women’s Day (IWD) and International Women's Week (IWW) will run this year from March 6 to 12.

The theme for International Women's Day and Week 2011 – Girls' Rights Matter / Les droits des filles comptent – focuses on the importance of equality and access to opportunity for all girls and women throughout their lives. This theme encourages us to reflect on the situation of girls in Canada, and to look beyond women's relative privilege domestically, to the international context. This theme also connects to the United Nations theme for International Women's Day 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women. A girl who enjoys equality has a greater likelihood of being self-confident and aware of her own potential, and of being empowered to access the education, training and career opportunities that will contribute to her success in life.

The theme Girls' Rights Matter is reflecting our Government’s firm belief that increasing women’s participation and access to leadership roles and opportunities will help women and girls thrive, reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams.

“Canadian women have made enormous strides. The current Government has the highest percentage of women in Cabinet in Canadian history. The House of Commons currently has 67 women” said Tilly O’Neill Gordon, MP for Miramichi.

Each year during IWD/IWW, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the current challenges and consider future steps in achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives.

For further information on International Women’s Day and International Women's Week, and to order a poster, visit the website of Status of Women Canada at http://www.iwd.gc.ca.