Minister Sajjan to travel to United Kingdom, Rwanda and Tanzania

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

July 12, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, today announced that he will visit the United Kingdom (UK), Rwanda and Tanzania from July 13 to 23, 2023. He will be accompanied by the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, as well as Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West for the 2023 Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. MP Kayabaga will also join Minister Sajjan during his trip to Tanzania.

In the UK, Minister Sajjan will participate in bilateral meetings in London with various UK officials and Canadian partner organisations on shared priorities such as education, gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights.

In Rwanda, Minister Sajjan will take part in the Women Deliver Conference where he will have the opportunity to discuss gender equality, empowerment, child, early and forced marriage and unions, health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and bodily autonomy of women and girls with representatives of civil society organisations, multilateral governments, private sector organisations, philanthropic organisations, and youth groups. He will also share additional details about Canada’s SheSOARS initiative. Additionally, the Minister will visit a school to learn about sexual and reproductive health education programs funded by Canada with Minister Ien and MP Kayabaga.

In Tanzania, he will visit projects supported by the Government of Canada that focus on health, SRHR, inclusive economic growth and food security. He and MP Kayabaga will also meet with officials to discuss realities faced in the region and Canada’s ongoing commitment to Tanzania.

Quotes

“The 2023 Women Deliver Conference is a pivotal moment to stand united to advance the health and rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse people everywhere. I look forward to many productive discussions with my counterparts and many partners at the Women Deliver conference, and in London and Tanzania, on how we can continue to strengthen our partnerships and ensure a brighter, safer and more equitable future for women and girls in particular.”

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

“The Women Deliver Conference is an opportunity for us to learn from leaders around the world who are moving the needle forward on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health – while also sharing Canada’s experiences. By exchanging best practices, we can work together to advance the rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse people both at home and abroad.”

- Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“Sexual and reproductive health and rights are something that we have committed to improving across the globe. I look forward to Women Deliver to engage on this issue, and hearing directly from gender advocates from across the world. I also look forward to hearing from the people in Tanzania directly impacted by our work.”

- Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West

Quick facts

  • In 2019 in Vancouver, Canada made a landmark, 10-year commitment to reach an average of $1.4 billion annually by 2023 to support women’s, children’s and adolescent’s health around the world. This commitment includes $700 million per year to advance SRHR, with an emphasis on supporting five particularly neglected and underfunded areas of SRHR.

  • On June 15, 2023, Canada announced the launch of the SheSOARS initiative, which includes project-level initiatives that support three key SRHR areas: advancing sexual and reproductive health services, particularly in neglected areas; protecting SRHR in fragile contexts; and standing up and advocating for SRHR at all levels to advance comprehensive and country-led SRHR priorities.

  • Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of Canada's international assistance ($127M in 2021-22). Canada has contributed $3.54 billion in development assistance to Tanzania since its independence.

  • Canada is among the largest bilateral donors for Tanzania in the health sector, providing significant support in health system strengthening, as well as SRHR.

Associated links

Contacts

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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