Welcoming Remarks By The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Ryan Ward At the Nigerian Premiere of “In the Name of Your Daughter”

Welcoming Remarks By The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Ryan Ward At the Nigerian Premiere of “In the Name of Your Daughter”

May 23, 2019, 10am – 2pm, Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos

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Good morning and welcome. It is an honour to host you here today at the Nigerian premiere of the award-winning film, “In the Name of Your Daughter.” The film is an inspiring story of strength and courage, in which young girls stand up for their health and rights, and fight to end female genital mutilation / cutting in their community.

 We are also honoured to welcome Canadian filmmaker, Giselle Portenier, who created this important documentary and is joining via live feed. (To the screen). Thank you Giselle for making it possible to screen this pertinent film in Lagos today.

The topic of the film, female genital mutilation/cutting, or FGM/C, is not only an important health matter, but it is also a critical human rights issue. As dramatically illustrated in the film, the consequences of FGM/C are physical, psychological and emotional.

 FGM/C survivors not only bear the physical scars and trauma long after being subjected to this unjust practice, but they are also left with the lifelong emotional pain and suffering that can continue to harm multiple aspects of their lives.

 FGM/C affects more than 200 million girls and women around the world and is practiced in over 30 countries. Nigeria ranks third highest in the world for FGM/C. One in four Nigerian women have undergone the harmful procedure.

 Collaborating closely with UNFPA and other health partners, Canada is working to prevent and address FGM/C by strengthening the quality, availability and access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. We are working with the federal and state governments to strengthen laws so that practices like FGM/C and early marriage are abandoned by their communities. 

 As a longstanding advocate for the empowerment of women and girls and the advancement of their human rights globally, Canada is proud to work with partners to prevent and address harmful practices such as FGM/C, and to support those who are bravely speaking out for change - such as the courageous girls in today’s film.

 Canada recognizes that empowering women and girls is the most effective way to build a more peaceful and prosperous world, and to reduce poverty.

  Canada’s work abroad, like here in Nigeria, is guided by our Feminist

Foreign Policy and our Feminist International Assistance Policy.

 By putting women and girls at the heart of the work we do, Canada can help women and girls access opportunities they need to help transform their local economies and generate growth that benefits their entire communities and countries.

 As part of this commitment, Canada is proud to host Women Deliver 2019 in Vancouver next week. Women and Deliver will be the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights and wellbeing of girls and women.

 During this event, more than 6,000 world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, and journalists will come together from all over the world to work on important women’s and girls’ rights issues - such as FGM/C - to accelerate progress for girls and women everywhere.

 We are proud to see so many Nigerians will participate in Women Deliver, including Olutimehin Adegbeye, who will be one of the guest speakers. We look forward to hearing from them when they return home.

 As illustrated in today’s film, which is filmed in Tanzania, FGM/C affects everyone, from its survivors to their families and communities. 

 Eliminating FGM/C requires the commitment and work of multiple players – including individuals, groups and communities. Child protection and defending their rights is everyone’s business.

 As a testament to the film’s impact in conveying these messages, In the Name of Your Daughter has won a number of awards, including “Best Canadian Feature Documentary” at North-West Fest, Canada’s longest running documentary festival.

 Film director Giselle Portenier was recently awarded a Global Women P.E.A.C.E. Award in Washington for her contribution to end FGM/C worldwide.

 Not wanting to take too much of your time, I would like to make one final point before closing, especially to the school girls in the audience.

 In addition to demonstrating the positive impact of collaboration, the film also celebrates the courage, tenacity and commitment of young girls, like yourselves, who are the voices and leaders of tomorrow.

 You are the future police officers, doctors, lawyers, journalists and teachers of Nigeria who will advance and protect the rights of women and girls in your communities.

  I hope you enjoy the film and find it as inspiring as I did.

 I look to each and every one of you who will see the film for the first time here in Nigeria to help continue to spread its important message of women’s and girls’ rights with your friends, teachers and families.

Thank you.