Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
International

Stephen Harper Calls For Action To Stop Forced Marriages

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 29 Nov, 2014 12:12 PM
    DAKAR, Senegal — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has urged countries in la Francophonie to do all they can to put an end to child marriages as well as forced unions.
     
    Harper told the opening ceremony of the summit of French-speaking nations in Senegal on Saturday that 100 million females were forced into marriage between 2004 and 2014 before reaching adulthood.
     
    "When girls cannot achieve their full potential, everyone suffers: the girls, their children, their communities and their countries," he said.
     
    Harper described family as the foundation of society, adding it cannot thrive if it is based on constraint and inequality.
     
    The main theme at the 15th summit of French-speaking nations is women and youth.
     
    Harper announced Friday that Canada would contribute $500 million to a program aimed at providing vaccines for impoverished children around the world.
     
    He noted Saturday that delegates at the summit will vote on a Canadian resolution on the health of mothers, newborns and children.
     
    "Every year, hundreds of thousands of women do not survive pregnancy or childbirth," said Harper, who is at the summit alongside two premiers — Quebec's Philippe Couillard and New Brunswick's Brian Gallant.
     
    "In 2013, more than six million children died before their fifth birthday."
     
    Harper said a Canadian-led initiative from the G-8 summit in 2010 has reduced maternal mortality and improved the health of mothers and children in the poorest countries in the world.
     
    "Between 2010 and 2013 — in just three years — two million deaths were prevented because children had access to basic vaccines.
     
    "I firmly believe that it is possible to put an end to preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation."
     
    The summit ends Sunday, the day a new secretary general of la Francophonie will be elected to succeed the outgoing Abdou Diouf.
     
    Former governor general Michaelle Jean is one of five candidates in the race.
     
    While Jean has the support of the federal government, Quebec, New Brunswick and her native Haiti, it remains to be seen how many other members of la Francophonie will endorse her.
     
    The organization has 57 members or associate members, while another 20 jurisdictions have observer status.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Obama predicts long-term campaign against IS

    Obama predicts long-term campaign against IS
    US President Barack Obama warned that there would be periodic setbacks in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and said it is a long-term campaign....

    Obama predicts long-term campaign against IS

    Four Indians jailed for fraud in Singapore

    Four Indians jailed for fraud in Singapore
    Four Indian nationals in Singapore were Wednesday given jail terms ranging between three and four years for fraudulent Goods and Services Tax (GST) tourist...

    Four Indians jailed for fraud in Singapore

    MH17 victims' belongings to be transferred to Netherlands

    MH17 victims' belongings to be transferred to Netherlands
    Two trucks loaded with personal belongings of the victims aboard the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 arrived Wednesday in Ukraine's government-controlled...

    MH17 victims' belongings to be transferred to Netherlands

    US Supreme Court blocks Texas abortion law

    US Supreme Court blocks Texas abortion law
    The US Supreme Court has blocked a Texas state law that reduced the number of abortion clinics in the nation's second most populous state, media reported Wednesday....

    US Supreme Court blocks Texas abortion law

    Hong Kong student democracy protests hover over Stephen Harper China visit

    Hong Kong student democracy protests hover over Stephen Harper China visit
    OTTAWA - Even if the Hong Kong protests fizzle, Stephen Harper must press his Chinese hosts next month on the concerns raised by student activists, says a former Canadian ambassador.

    Hong Kong student democracy protests hover over Stephen Harper China visit

    Public Health Agency gives Spain, Norway ZMapp-like drug to treat Ebola cases

    Public Health Agency gives Spain, Norway ZMapp-like drug to treat Ebola cases
    TORONTO - The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that Canada gave health officials in Spain and Norway treatment courses of a ZMapp-like drug to treat two health-care workers infected with Ebola.

    Public Health Agency gives Spain, Norway ZMapp-like drug to treat Ebola cases