Canada firmly believes that promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls is the most effective approach to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.

“This innovative project is a concrete example of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy in practice. I am proud that the Commonwealth of Learning, which is based in British Columbia, will be leading this transformational initiative.”

- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

• COL was established in 1987 by Commonwealth heads of government to create and widen access to opportunities for learning by making use of distance education and applying communication technologies to education.

• Hosted by the Government of Canada with headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia, COL is the world’s only intergovernmental organization solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning.

• At the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Rwanda, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $7.8 million over 3 years for the renewal of long-term institutional support for COL. Yesterday’s announcement is in addition to this amount.

• Empowering Women and Girls in the Commonwealth will focus on education and skills development, supporting increased economic participation that will in turn lead to better health outcomes and sustainable social transformation. COL will work with local partners to implement activities in the individual, household, educational, community and livelihood spheres to comprehensively support beneficiaries.

Associated links

• Prime Minister drives action on food security, climate change and gender equality at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
• Canada announces key projects while at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
• Canada and the Commonwealth

Haley Hodgson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Haley.Hodgson@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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