FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pauktuutit Observes International Day of the Girl Child
October 10, 2013 (Ottawa, ON) Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada encourages everyone to observe the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2013 as an important day to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
This year’s day focuses on Innovating for Girls’ Education. “Recognizing the need for fresh and creative perspectives to propel girls’ education forward, this day will address the importance of new technology, but also innovation in partnerships, policies, resource utilization, community mobilization, and most of all, the engagement of young people themselves.”[1]
It is Pauktuutit’s mandate to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women and encouraging their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development.
Together, we must continue to raise awareness of the challenges Inuit women and girls face today and provide them with resources necessary to overcome such obstacles.
President Rebecca Kudloo states, “On this day I would like to encourage all Canadians to join me in recognizing the importance of girls and young women in our society. Education is key to a successful future. We need to address the issues Inuit women and girls have that prevent them from getting an education, and provide them the resources they need to succeed.”
Ways to celebrate International Day of the Girl:
- Send a postcard through Status of Women Canada (http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca)
- Visit our website (www.pauktuutit.ca) to learn more about us and our projects
- Tell others about the significance of this day by writing an article, letter to the editor or blog post.
- Write a story about your life as a girl or the life of a girl you know.
- Encourage young people to get involved in celebrating the importance of girls’ rights by developing a lesson, creating an exhibit, completing a project or staging a play.
- Create a piece of art with some of the girls in your life. Express your thoughts and emotions about International Day of the Girl and why it is important.
- Learn more about the issues facing girls by reading a book or watching a documentary, film or television program about girls.
- Demonstrate your awareness of girls’ issues by engaging in conversations and letting others know what they can do to make a difference.
- Talk with men and boys about their role in advocating for the rights of girls.
For more information on the work Pauktuutit is conducting to prevent abuse and violence, please visit www.pauktuutit.ca
-30-
Contact: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada 1-800-667-0749 info@pauktuutit.ca www.pauktuutit.ca