Welcome to meeting 53 of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room as well as remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the members and witnesses.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before you speak. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike, and please mute yourselves when you are not speaking. Interpretation for those on Zoom is at the bottom of your screen, and you have a choice of floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
In accordance with our routine motion, as is our practice, I am informing the committee members that all witnesses have completed the required connection tests in advance of our meeting.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, June 20, 2022, the committee resumes its study of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women globally.
It is now my great pleasure to welcome, from the National Women's Civic Association, Ms. Maria Cristina Rodriguez Garcia, who is a research consultant with the organization. She is joining us by video conference.
Also, we have here present before us today, from Oxfam Canada, Ms. Lauren Ravon, executive director; and Ms Béatrice Vaugrante, executive director of Oxfam-Québec.
Each witness will be provided a maximum of five minutes for their remarks, after which we will proceed to a round of questions by the members.
For all the witnesses, once you have only 30 seconds remaining, either for your opening remarks or for the follow-up questions, I will signal you. I would appreciate it if you could try to wrap things up within 20 or 30 seconds once you see the sign.
Each of the witnesses will have five minutes for opening remarks. First we will go to Ms. Garcia.
Ms. Garcia, you have five minutes.