Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to start by apologizing to the committee for not being able to appear when I was invited in December, due to a death in the family. I thank the committee for its understanding.
I'm pleased to appear here before you today, particularly on the subject of improving the economic situation of Canadian girls. It's a very timely area of study as we approach, as you know, the first International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2012. It will give Canadians a unique opportunity to focus on the needs of girls. The committee's work will certainly contribute to that understanding.
The committee's study on the designation of a unique day for girls reflects the growing recognition in Canada, as well as around the world, that in addition to a focus on children's issues and women's issues, the intersection of age and gender in girls gives rise to a unique set of circumstances and issues that require special attention.
We've circulated a deck that we will use during our presentation.
We are in the exploratory phase of these issues, so increasing awareness of them and identifying the tools we need to address them are important next steps.
I'm at the slide on page 2.
Officials from Status of Women Canada briefed your committee on the Women's Program last week and focused in particular on how the program can address the needs of girls.
I was not able to attend the first part of the briefing last week, as I was attending the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women with the minister. I'm pleased that the committee has agreed to receive us today to finish the presentation and to speak about additional levers that are available to Status of Women Canada to do our work.
Today I'm joined by Sébastien Goupil, who is the director general responsible for strategic policy, gender-based analysis support, and international relations, which are three very important levers for Status of Women Canada, as well as Nanci-Jean Waugh, who is director general of communications and public affairs, to speak specifically to our role in commemorative events.
Status of Women Canada promotes equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social, and democratic life of Canada. However, the agency does not act alone. We collaborate with federal, provincial, and territorial governments; international organizations; academia; as well as non-profit, voluntary, and for-profit organizations to achieve tangible results for women and girls.
We focus our efforts on three priority areas: women's economic security and prosperity, women in leadership and democratic participation, and ending violence against women. When it comes to girls, our goal is to create the conditions for their future success, including economic success.