OTTAWA, ONTARIO-June 2, 2010 – The Canadian National Committee of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM Canada) congratulates Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, as the 2009 recipient of the UNIFEM Canada Award. Almas Jiwani, President of UNIFEM Canada, presented Her Excellency with this Award in the presence of dignitaries during a ceremony held this morning at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Her Excellency was recognized as a gifted humanitarian and for her life-long contributions to advocating a gender-responsive approach to underprivileged women across the globe. In her presentation speech, Almas Jiwani compared the actions of Her Excellency with those of some of the world’s distinct visionaries “who work tirelessly and passionately, sacrificing their time and energy to further the platform of gender-equality and to fuel the economic empowerment of women and girls, while strengthening civil-society.”
“At UNIFEM Canada, we draw our inspiration from Her Excellency, she is a hero in our time, akin to role-models such as Emily Murphy of the Famous Five and His Highness the Aga Khan who have consistently demonstrated commitment to bettering the lives of girls and women globally and locally,” stated Almas Jiwani, minutes prior to bestowing the 2009 UNIFEM Canada Award on Her Excellency.
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Photographs: http://www.gg.ca/gallery.aspx?ID=10281
Ismailimail 