THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JUSTIN TRUDEAU (Prime Minister of Canada): Thank you very much,
Madam President. Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to be here in Monrovia.
I’d like to begin by thanking President Johnson Sirleaf and the people of Liberia
for the kindness they have shown me and our entire Canadian delegation. I could not have
asked for a more gracious welcome on this, my very first stop on my very first official
visit to Africa as Prime Minister. Canada and Liberia have a strong relationship, one
that is made stronger by our shared belief that when women and girls are full participants
in the social, economic, and political lives of our two countries, we will all succeed.
The role that women played in bringing an end to the civil war and helping Liberia rebuild
is an inspiration to the rest of the world. That will be my central message in my meeting
this afternoon with women and youth leaders. It will be a chance to listen and to learn
and to think about what we can all do to encourage more women and girls to lead, whether it’s
in government, the business world, or as we’ve seen here in Liberia, in bringing about lasting
peace. Earlier I had a wonderful chance to sit down
and meet one on one with President Sirleaf. Together we discussed the ties between our
two countries and reaffirmed our commitment to work together to improve peace and security
and advance women’s rights. Canada made three specific commitments to help achieve
these goals. First, Canada will increase its support to
the Global Acceleration Instrument for Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action
which works to expand the role that women already play in building and leading peace
processes. Second, we plan to do more to help support
Liberia during next year’s elections through the United Nations development program’s
joint trust fund. We are hopeful that this support will include a special emphasis on
encouraging greater participation of women, both as voters and candidates.
Third, Canada will boost its support for UN women’s efforts to achieve gender equality
and the empowerment of women in the region. I’m particularly interested in looking at
ways that more men and boys can be encouraged to speak out to support the women in their
families and their communities and help bring about an end to the violence that is a daily
reality for far too many women. Later today, I’ll be visiting Slipway Elementary
School to see learning that is happening with the support of Canadian partners
Right to Play and Code. Education is something that is very close to my heart, both as a father and as a former teacher.
And tomorrow, I will be joining Minister Bibeau in
Madagascar where we will represent Canada at the Summit of the Francophonie.
But I will be forever grateful to President Johnson Sirleaf
and to all the women and men I’m meeting here during my time in Liberia, not only
for reminding me of why I’m so proud to call myself a feminist, but also
for showing me what’s possible when good people
who care about each other come together to make a real difference in their communities
and in their countries. Later today, I’ll be visiting Slipway Elementary
School to see learning that is happening with the support of Canadian partners Right to
Play and Code. Education is something that is very close to my heart, both as a father
and as a former teacher. And tomorrow, I will be joining Minister Bibeau in Madagascar where
we will represent Canada at the Summit of the Francophonie.
But I will be forever grateful to President Johnson Sirleaf and to all the women and men
I’m meeting here during my time in Liberia, not only for reminding me of why I’m so
proud to call myself a feminist, but also for showing me what’s possible when good
people who care about each other come together to make a real difference in their communities
and in their countries. Merci beaucoup.