PARIS, FRANCE -- (Marketwire) -- 03/02/13 -- Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women National Committee Canada, will be honoured with the International Women Development Champion Award 2013 at the International Conference on African Women Development (ICOAWD) to be held March 21-24, 2013 in Paris, France.
Drawing from her experience as a champion of women's rights and economic empowerment, Ms. Jiwani will speak to the importance of promoting women's involvement in the business sector and the need to include women as key economic actors in Africa's growing small and medium scale enterprises.
"Small and medium enterprises are one of the main driving forces for growth in Africa and provide many income-generating opportunities for women," says Jiwani. "While this field presents many opportunities, barriers to women's economic participation persist. We must work together to break down these obstacles, as women's engagement in the development of small and medium enterprises in Africa will play a key role in promoting gender equality, empowering women, and encouraging strong, inclusive growth."
The International Women Development Champion Award is a prestigious award established to honour outstanding women that have demonstrated enduring commitment and consistent exemplary efforts in the economic development of African women. Ms. Jiwani will join past recipients of the Center for Economic and Leadership Development's (CELD) awards, including President Joyce Banda of Malawi, Vice President Joice Mujuru of Zimbabwe, Business Leader Wendy Luhabe of South Africa, Her Excellency Ida Odinga, Wife of The Prime Minister of Kenya, and Rt. Hon. Anne Makinda, Speaker of Parliament of Tanzania, amongst other notable female leaders.
Ms. Jiwani will give the morning keynote on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at the Hotel Pullman Paris Montparnasse in Paris, France.
More about UN Women National Committee Canada
UN Women National Committee Canada raises UN Women's profile and promotes its work in Canada; raises funds for UN Women projects; creates awareness within the Canadian governments for increased funding for UN Women projects; and encourages non-governmental organizations to promote and support UN Women initiatives.
For an interview with Ms. Almas Jiwani, president of UN Women National Committee Canada or for more information about UN Women National Committee Canada please contact:
Nicola Deery / Helen Lam Research and Communications UN Women National Committee Canada communications@unwomencanada.org http://www.unwomencanada.org/
Contacts:
Nicola Deery / Helen Lam
Research and Communications
UN Women National Committee Canada
communications@unwomencanada.org
www.unwomencanada.org
